Australia chase 205 for victory in opener

Australia need to score 205 for victory in their Women's Cricket World Cup opener against the West Indies at Taunton.

A fine all-round bowling performance from Australia helped to ensure the world champions need to chase a modest 205 for victory against the West Indies in the opening match of their title defence.

The West Indies started steadily as they reached 4-157 only for their middle order to collapse on a good batting surface at Taunton to be dismissed for 204 in the 48th over.

Ellyse Perry was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 3-37, while Kristen Beams and Jess Jonassen grabbed two wickets apiece.

Confusing scenes prevailed at the toss where Windies skipper Stefanie Taylor called correctly and elected to bat.

However, midway through her pre-match interview with commentator Ian Bishop, she changed her mind, only for Australia captain Meg Lanning to object and insist on having the ICC rulebook checked.

After some debate match referee David Dukes subsequently adjudicated that Taylor's first call had to stand.

Star allrounder Perry made the first breakthrough, dismissing Felicia Walters, whose less than convincing innings ended when she chipped straight to Elyse Villani for seven.

Chidean Nation should have joined her back in the pavilion when her efforts for a quickly-run second run saw Alyssa Healy swiftly take off the bails.

However, New Zealand umpire Kathy Cross deemed her not out despite replays showing she was well outside her crease, but with no third umpire available for referrals from the middle the decision had to stand.

Jonassen grabbed the second wicket when she dislodged the leg stump of opener Hayley Matthews (46) before leg-spinner Beams beat Nation in the flight and she lobbed a simple catch to Alex Blackwell to finally depart for 39.

Perry then produced the ball of the day to send Deandra Dottin's off-stump spinning out of the ground for 29.

That dismissal saw the Windies capitulate with Merissa Aguilleira run out for nine and Taylor holing out to Villani off Jonassen for 45 from the very next ball.

Perry than grabbed her third wicket when Afy Fletcher played all around a full-length delivery for three and Shamila Connell was the last player out for a single after being run out by a combination of Jonassen and Healy.


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Source: AAP



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