Australia’s triumphant women’s cricketers claimed a place in history as England choked in the World Twenty20 final in Sri Lanka.
Australia became the first team in men’s or women’s cricket to secure successive World T20 titles with their stressful four-run win in Colombo.
Skipper Jodie Fields, who missed Australia’s victory in the World T20 final over New Zealand in Barbados in 2010 because of a hamstring injury, said it was an awesome feeling to be holding the trophy aloft in front of a capacity crowd of 35,000 at Premadasa Stadium.
England had gone into Sunday night’s final with an unbeaten record in the tournament and having lost only one game in 2012.
But after choosing to bowl first, they watched Australia get away to bright start of 0-47 in the six-over powerplay on their way to a total of 4-142.
Player-of-the-match Jess Cameron led the way for Australia with 45 off 34 balls while openers Meg Lanning (25) and Alyssa Healy (26) and consistent No.4 Lisa Sthalekar (23 not out) played vital roles.
After losing skipper Charlotte Edwards (28) and star No.3 Sarah Taylor (19) in the first 10 overs, the challenge became too great for England.
Needing six from the final delivery bowled by offspinner Erin Osborne, the 2009 champions took a single and finished on 9-138 to lose by four runs.
Fields said the final over of the match was a stressful experience.
“The belief was there and we were all behind Erin Osborne,” Fields said.
Asked to compare Australia’s 2010 and 2012 T20 titles, Fields said the latest triumph was more significant.
“Definitely this one,” Fields said.
Watching the 2010 final from Australia, Fields was determined to get back into the side.
“The celebrations that they had, it was just something I knew that I wanted to be a part of,” Fields said.
“It’s a final and there’s pressure for them to score the runs and I just think our bowlers did an amazing job.”
Spinner Jess Jonassen claimed a career-best 3-25 while Sthalekar and Julie Hunter took two wickets each and strike bowler Ellyse Perry made the key breakthrough to remove Taylor.
“England came in and they were 24 (wins) from 25 matches or something, a really awesome record,” Fields said.
“We don’t always have big crowds at international women’s matches.
“So to have a lot of the Sri Lankan fans in ready for the men’s match and also the West Indians, running around that boundary with the World Cup in your hand, it’s a great feeling.”
Edwards, who was named player of the tournament, accused her bowlers of a lack of discipline.
“You’re bound to be nervous,” Edwards said.
“It’s a final. I guess pressure did tell in the end.”
