Oz Women Win World Series

[Donny]

Fitzpatrick pace powers Australia to easy victory
Lynn McConnell - 8 February 2003

Australia showed all the fire and passion that has made them the powerhouse of women's world cricket by taking out the World Series of Women's Cricket by beating New Zealand by 109 runs at Bert Sutcliffe Oval at New Zealand's High Performance Centre at Lincoln University today.

The margin of success was embarrassing for New Zealand but it still wasn't sufficient to wipe out the stigma of the World Cup defeat three summers ago, and that issue won't be decided until 2005 in South Africa. Evidence would suggest that Australia are further down the track in preparation for that event than are New Zealand.

New Zealand fell into that trap when trying to rearrange their batting order in an effort to curtail the threat of Australian fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick. The move didn't work, and possibly even rebounded on the home team who capitulated in disappointing fashion for a side who still are the reigning world champions.

The record books were given something of a working over, mainly by Australian captain Belinda Clark. She ended her innings of 80 as the highest scorer in women's One-Day Internationals, supplanting New Zealand legend Debbie Hockley when she passed her record of 4064 runs. Clark now sits on 4077.

The effort started when she scored her third run of the day to be only the second woman to pass 4000 ODI runs.

New Zealand's wicket-keeper Rebecca Rolls also got in on the act when ending the innings on 80 dismissals in ODI to equal the record of England's Jane Cassar. But in New Zealand's innings Julia Price ended up on 79 dismissals.

New Zealand had done a sound job in dismissing the Australians for 214. It is a rare feat and was all the more notable after Clark's innings had looked to steal the initiative well and truly away from New Zealand.

But by bowling with a degree of control, they made life difficult for Clark and she was rarely allowed to strike out for boundaries and the latter part of her innings was spent attempting to lift a run rate that had fallen below what Australian should have expected.

The ploy of opening with 18-year-old left-arm spinner Rebecca Steele, who took one for 38 when bowling through, could be said to have been effective, but at the same time it had to be wondered if bowling her through had been the best option.

The air of mystery that was developed when she opened evaporated when it was clear she was going to bowl through.

Aimee Mason was also effective in bowling 10 overs of off spin to end with one for 34.

New Zealand captain Emily Drumm said she was delighted between innings that the bowlers had done the job that allowed the batsmen a reasonable chase.

Drumm explained that the change in the batting order had been intended to deny Australia early wickets because in the two earlier games New Zealand had been rocked.

"I've never known Cathryn Fitzpatrick to be so intimidating in a series as she has been here," she said.

Drumm said it was always the same Australian players, Clark, Karen Rolton and Fitzpatrick who turned up firing when New Zealand was their opponent.

"Today they lifted their game against us again, because they know that we can threaten them and it is often that fear of losing that drives you to win," she said.

Clark said she knew it would be a good game when they reached the halfway point because Australia had wanted to score 220-plus.

After Fitzpatrick's performance today Clark thought the English team who start the Ashes series next Saturday would be more than a little nervous.

The ploy of changing the batting order had caused the Australians to think a little more about what they were doing.

And she admitted the Australians did lift themselves against New Zealand, but the New Zealanders did the same against them.

"Today was an important day for us. We came here to win the tournament and we have managed to produce the goods when it counted," she said.

Clark said she learned last night that the statistical milestones she achieved were on the horizon but her attitude was that it was more important that she scored well for the team today.



Donny.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN !!!!

[pies4ever]

gr8 job by the aussie women,i dont think the aussie women get enough credit for what they do in cricket,thats what i think anyway,hey donny does zoe goss still play womens cricket??..

cheers bryan..!!

[Donny]

Yes, Bryan, Zoe still plays. She captains her club side, Claremont-Nedlands, and the state side, Western Fury. She hasn't been in the national team recently.

Her Test record wasn't outstanding but her one-day form was quite good. She played 65 games for Oz, averaging 29.7 with the bat, hitting 7 fifties with a top score of 96 n.o. and took 64 wickets at 19.15

Donny.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN !!!!

[pies4ever]

hey donny,1 match i would never forget she played was in the AB tribute match i think it was,when she was bowling lara was batting,and she bowled lara,and then both of them had a huge smile on their faces..

cheers bryan..!!

[Donny]

Definitely a cherished memory for Zoe and the thousands who saw it, m8.

It was wonderful to see Dennis Lillee have a chat to her before that over and to see her race straight over to him when she tempted Lara, outside off, and got the edge.

Donny.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN !!!!

[Stunning Steve McKee]

Without trying to be sexist here (and anyone who knows me, knows I'm not) the care factor in regards to womens cricket would be zero.

I love netball (and prefer it to mens basketball), women's hockey & even the Pies own world ski champion Alisa Camplin, but women's cricket is shocking.

In 50 over matches they struggle to make 200 runs in perfect conditions.

I'd like some honest feedback from the girls here.

Never swap a small for a tall !

[Kristin5]

Honestly? Women's sport bores me to tears...what can I say...I prefer watching men!

"I'm sure people see me as a screaming redhead with a big pair of boobs, but I like to think I've got things to say." Geri Halliwell, former member of the Spice Girls

[Bartros]

Wonder why Kristin

Long Live the mite and power of
Shane Morwood (member of 1990 team,1988 Vic rep)

[This message has been edited by Bartros (edited 11 February 2003).]

[MrsTarrant]

LoL I'm with you Kristin! Good on the women but I would much rather watch men anyday!

[CQ]

yer im with u chicks!

i didnt even know there was a chicks cricket side haha!

and yes kristen, chicks sports shit me too! theyre SOOOOO BORING!

its like this. YOURE CRAP (compared to the guys) DONT BOTHER!

GO THE GUYS

TARKO TARKO MAN!
I WANT TO BE A TARKO MAN!