Australia have successfully defended their Women’s World Twenty20 title, claiming a four-run win over England in a thrilling finish in Colombo on Sunday.
Player of the match Jess Cameron top-scored with 45 in Australia’s 4-142.
Teenaged, left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen claimed a career-best 3-25 while Lisa Sthalekar (2-16) and Julie Hunter (2-36) also make key breakthroughs to restrict England to 9-138.
England needed 16 runs to win from the last over, bowled by offspinner Erin Osborne, and had only two wickets in hand.
They managed 11 runs, with tailender Holly Colvin run out from the penultimate delivery.
With six to get off the last ball, England scored a single.
Australia skipper Jodie Fields, who missed the 2010 final through injury, said it was an awesome feeling to be a part of the team on Sunday.
“So proud of this team,” said Fields.
“England played a really good match, but we had the belief in our team.
“Just an all-round performance.
“Just to be standing here is awesome. All the hard work has been worth it.”
Hunter had followed up her five-wicket haul in the semi-final against West Indies by making a breakthrough in her first over Sunday to remove England’s Laura Marsh caught and bowled for eight.
England skipper Charlotte Edwards (28 off 23 balls) looked ready to take Australia’s bowling attack apart but holed out to deep mid-wicket to the bowling of offspinner Sthalekar at 2-44.
Pace spearhead Ellyse Perry (1-24) swung the match by dismissing No.3 Sarah Taylor, caught behind for 19 in the 10th over at 3-61, and Lydia Greenway (four) fell to Jonassen in the following over.
Arran Brindle (13) aimed a mighty swipe at a well-flighted delivery from Sthalekar and was bowled and Alex Blackwell took a brilliant diving catch at cover to remove Danielle Wyatt (nine).
Jonassen also picked up the wicket of Katherine Brunt at 7-101 as England’s tail, led by Danielle Hazell (16 not out) and No.7 Jenny Gunn (19), tried valiantly to chase down the target.
Australia dropped three catches and Osborne tossed up a few full tosses in the final over but the defending champions held their nerve.
Earlier, Meg Lanning (25) gave Australia an excellent by sharing a 51-run opening stand with Alyssa Healy (26).
Cameron added 51 for the third wicket with Sthalekar (23 not out).
No.3 Cameron hit five fours and one six in a classy 34-ball knock to finish the tournament with 151 runs at an average of 37.75.
England skipper Edwards was named player of the tournament.
