The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
In an enthralling day of cricket where Bangladesh threatened an upset of a lifetime earlier in the day and England produced a comeback for the ages, it is the top two teams in the ICC ODI rankings for women that come away with the victories. We hope you've enjoyed our coverage just as much as we've enjoyed bringing it to you. Do stay tuned for more live commentary, news, views and more on the Women's World Cup, starting with tomorrow's much-awaited India-Pakistan clash. That begins at 6:30 AM IST so set your alarms and go off to sleep early in preparation, and join us tomorrow.
I, Habil Ahmed, take your leave on behalf of Sooryanarayan Sesha and the entire Sportskeeda team. Take good care of yourselves, and goodbye!
It's not often that you score 109 off 85 balls and end up on the losing side. But that is what has happened with Nat Sciver here. At the end of the day though, it was the first centurion of the game, Rachael Haynes, who took her team to victory with an incredible 130 in the end after the Aussies lost Alyssa Healy following a decent start.
A 196-run partnership between skipper Meg Lanning and vice-captain Haynes saw Australia find themselves in a comfortable position heading into the final ten overs. Some fireworks right at the death from Haynes, Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry ensure the Aussie women crossed the all-important 300-run mark.
311 was always going to be a tough ask. And losing Lauren Winfield-Hill in the very first over did the English no favours either. Tammy Beaumont did well from there though to build two great partnerships, first with skipper Heather Knight and then vice-captain Nat Sciver. She would eventually fall for a well-made 74 though.
It was only fitting that, on a day such as this, given the events that came to light as the Aussie players slept and the terrible news they’d have to wake up to, King would be the one to turn (literally and figuratively) the game in Australia’s favour. A nice tribute to the late, great Shane Warne to boot as well.
But you know what they say - the game is not over for as long as Nat Sciver is still around. A couple of great partnerships alongside Sophia Dunkley and Katherine Brunt saw them run Australia real close.
But it wasn’t to be in the end. Jess Jonassen, like Deandra Dottin yesterday, bowled a fantastic final over after not having too many contributions of note before then. In the end, it is the Aussies that are the happier of the two teams. And they come away with the all-important 2 points and the momentum for the rest of the tournament.
Meg Lanning (Australia Captain): It's nice to get a win first up. We expected a contest and that's exactly what we got. I think we did well to get to 310. It was tough at the start but flattened out as the night went on. (On giving Jess Jonassen the last over) She wanted the ball and she's bowled big overs for us and delivered. I had full faith in her to deliver in the end. She could have bowled a few more overs looking back. We expected that (fight) at the halfway mark - we knew it was a good score but we expected it to get better for batting. Our fielding could improve a bit but it's good to get a win. A World Cup's about winning and sometimes you don't play at your best but still win. (On Rod Marsh and Shane Warne) They've had a massive impact on the game. Certainly two big losses felt around the world.
Heather Knight (England Captain): The way we played in the Ashes wasn't a true rep of how we wanted to go about things. To see the way the girls responded today, how they ran around and the way Nat Sciver was outstanding. Lots of positives. We lost the first game of the 2017 World Cup as well. We had a chat about how we wanted to play as a batting unit. We spoke about what we wanted to do in the competition and we went about it really well today. (On Nat Sciver) She is (special). If we need to be with a chance in the World Cup we need performances like that from her. That's probably one of the best knocks I've seen. I'm obviously there as an option (with the ball) but it didn't work out. Today we played 7 batters so it limited our options. We felt this was the best combination for today - our bowling unit was fantastic in the Ashes. A few extras today but I'm not worried about our bowling unit. (On facing West Indies next) It was great watching them last night. It's a really good shoutout for women's cricket. It's good to see so called upsets I guess and we'll have to be on top of our game.
Rachael Haynes (Player of the Match): I don't think I was living too great for the last half of the 50 overs in the field. England were great and pushed us really well but nice to get across the line. I think England bowled exceptionally to be honest. It was hard to push the field but I was able to get a couple away eventually. We were discussing it the whole time and initially we were thinking 260-270 would be okay but once we got in we thought we should go for over 300. Conditions seemed to get better as the game got on and it was nice to get that total. I just try to score as many as I can. Nice to bat alongside some really good players who take the pressure off. I hope so (laughs when asked if there's more of her to come in the World Cup)
Australia beat England by 12 runs!
Fine advertisement for ODI cricket a game like this. Sure, it wasn't anything like the New Zealand-West Indies game from yesterday. But an incredible Nat Sciver hundred is in vain as Australia see themselves through in the end.
50
overs
298/8score
1lb
W
0
1
1
W
runs
Natalie Sciver
109(85)
Sophie Ecclestone*
1(3)
Jess Jonassen
2/18
49.6 Jess Jonassen to Sophie Ecclestone, OUT! TAKEN BY MOONEY! AUSTRALIA SCRAPE THROUGH! Tossed up full at the stumps, Ecclestone dances down to the pitch of it and swings off her wrists aiming to clear long on. Mooney waits by the ropes before watching it late into her palms as it nearly crosses the ropes past her. Well-judged in the end and how about that for a final over from Jess Jonassen! Top class contest but in the end, Australia get through by 12 runs!
You've got to feel for Nat Sciver here. One of the all-time great ODI innings in a losing effort in the end.
49.5 Jess Jonassen to Nat Sciver, full and quick on leg stump, Sciver brings out a mistimed slog sweep that is picked up by deep mid-wicket on the bounce. It's a heartbreak for England...
Video
;'/></svg>)
T McGrath
N Sciver
;'/></svg>){kind=small}
Seddon Park, Hamilton
Natalie Sciver
Jess Jonassen
