Australia pip West Indies to win ICC Women's World Cup for the sixth time

Australian women had more than a score to settle with the West Indies when they squared off in the summit clash of the ICC Women’s World Cup at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

Their winning streak in the World Cup was snapped by West Indies eves in the Super Stage stage, which secured the women in maroon’s passage to the finals.

Of course, West Indies have done more than what was expected of them, having reached their maiden World Cup final and were pitted against a side, which were seeking a sixth World Cup crown.

The women in yellow put up a thoroughly professional display to win the 2013 World Cup, pipping West Indies by 114 runs.

This is the third time that Australia eves have won the World Cup held in India – they earlier won it in 1978 and in 1997.

Set a redoubtable target of 258 to win their maiden World Cup, West Indies slipped into early trouble, losing their three top batters inside the first fifteen overs.

Medium-pacer Ellyse Perry triggered tension in the West Indies camp, trapping Kycia Knight in front for 17 at their team’s score on 32. Perry soon dislodged Stafanie Taylor and Natasha Mclean in a space of four overs to reduce West Indies to 41 for 3.

West Indies never recovered from the early jolts and was always doing the catching up. The likes of Kyshona Knight, Merissa Aguilleira and Deandra Dottin tried their best to keep the Windies in the contest but the Aussie bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals to render West Indies’ hopes of winning the World Cup a distant dream.

West Indies finally folded up for 145 in 43.1 overs, handing Australia a comprehensive World Cup win.

Earlier, Australia batting first, were given a solid opening start by the duo of Meg Lanning and Rachel Haynes. Lannnig fell for a brisk 31 before Haynes in the company of Jess Cameron dominated proceedings with a robust 64-run second wicket stand.

Cameron maintained the run flow at one end even as West Indies bowlers chipped away with the wickets.

Cameron clubbed 75 from 76 balls – a knock that was studded with eight fours and two sixes. The 23-year-old laid the foundation for an imposing score when she fell in the 36th over at her team’s score on 181.

Jodie Fields provided the final flourish to the Southern Stars’ innings, racking up an unbeaten 36 off 38 balls, packed with four hits to the fence as Australia finished at 259 for 7 off their allotted 50 overs.