London: A near-perfect bowling and batting display laid the foundation for Australia as they got their ICC Women’s World Cup title-defence under way with an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Taunton on Monday.
Ellyse Perry took three wickets, while Jess Jonassen and Kristen Beams picked up two each as the West Indies was dismissed for 204 in the 48th over in a repeat of the 2013 final.
The six-time world champion dominated the chase too, knocking off the target with 11.5 overs to spare as Nicole Bolton stole the show with a graceful century, while Beth Mooney made 70. Bolton’s 116-ball innings included 14 fours, while Mooney hit seven fours and a six in her 85-ball innings.
The two batters put on 171 runs for the opening wicket in 30.1 overs.
“When we were out there that it felt like we were in a dream,” said Bolton, who was later adjudged Player of the Match. “To share an opening partnership like that of 171 is special, we didn’t play the scoreboard but instead the way we normally play, tried not to put too ourselves under too much pressure.
Accurate line and length was the focal part of Australia’s bowling effort, in particular from Megan Schutt with two early maidens, with the pressure resulting in debutant Felicia Walters spooning to square-leg.
Hayley Matthews (46) and Chedean Nation (39) began the rebuild, though both fell to spin, the latter going to Beams who picked up two for 30 from her 10 overs.
That brought captain Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin together, with Dottin showing her usual spark to ignite some impetus with six boundaries in her 29, while her captain made 45 in the anchor role.
Perry, who had earlier uprooted Dottin, then repeated the trick to Afy Fletcher late on as the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016 winner was bowled out for 204.
Brief Scores
Australia beat West Indies by eight wickets, at County Ground, Taunton
West Indies 204 all out, in 47.5 overs (Hayley Matthews 46, Stafanie Taylor 45, Chedean Nation 39; Ellyse Perry 3-47, Kristen Beams 2-30, Jess Jonassen 2-39) vs Australia 205-2 in 38.1 overs (Nicole Bolton 107 not out, Beth Mooney 70, Meg Lanning 12; Stafanie Taylor 2-33).
Player of the Match: Nicole Bolton (Australia).
