Australian eves once again proved their supremacy in women's cricket as they completed a hat-trick of ICC World T20 titles with a comprehensive six-wicket win over England in the final in Mirpur on Sunday.
Australian captain Meg Lanning smashed her way to 44 off 30 balls, helping her team surpass a paltry target of 106 with as many as 29 balls to spare.
Lanning's innings had four boundaries and two sixes. The first six - a lofted shot over long-off ropes off seamer Anya Shrubsole - was a treat to watch. It was a copybook backlift and one can't take away anything from that shot although the boundary ropes have been brought in by at least 10 yards for the women's final.
The second six that Lanning hit was off a full toss by another seamer Jenny Gunn which she dispatched over mic-wicket ropes.
She was finally dismissed trying to hit the winning runs off medium pacer Natalie Sciver as Heather Knight held on to a smart catch at mid-off.
Lanning along with the most celebrated women's cricketer and also a women's World Cup footballer, Elysse Perry (31 no) added 60 runs for the third wicket. Perry, on her part, hit three fours and a six.
Earlier, Australian bowlers led by medium pacer Sarah Coyte (3/16 in 4 overs) restricted England to a paltry 105 for eight in 20 overs. Save Heather Knight, who scored 29 off 24 balls with three boundaries, none of the other English batswoman were able to cross 20-run mark. The next highest score was Sarah Taylor's 18.
England were comfortably placed at 55 for one in 9.3 overs before a mini slump proved to be a hindrance towards accelerating the score. From 55 for one, they were reeling at 67 for four at the end of 13 overs and did not recover from there.
Perry also excelled with the ball as she grabbed two for 13 in four overs while another opening bowler Rene Farrell also chipped in with two wickets. Erin Osborne was the other wicket-taker.
Brief Scores:
England Women 105/8 in 20 overs (Heather Knight 29, Sarah Coyte 3/11, Elysse Perry 2/13).
Australian Women 106/4 in 15.1 overs (Meg Lanning 44, Elysse Perry 31 no).
Image: Australia captain Meg Lanning lifts the trophy alongside her team after winning the Women’s World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 Final
Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
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