SYDNEY Feb 8 AAP – Australia set England a modest target of 148 on on Friday in their first women’s World Cup cricket Super Sixes match in Mumbai, India.

Sent into bat, the Southern Stars struggled to deal with some sharp movement off the pitch after starting their innings at 9am local time.

Australia, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, slumped to 5-32 in the 13th over and were dismissed for 147 with 32 balls remaining.

The only substantial stand was a sixth-wicket partnership of 82 in just under 19 overs between Lisa Sthalekar (41 off 59 balls) and Sarah Coyte (44 off 81).

Once they were separated, the innings again fell into a tailspin, with the last four wickets adding just 32.

The second-highest partnership of the innings was just 13.

New-ball bowlers Anya Shrubsole (3-24 off 10 overs) and Katherine Brunt (2-22 off 7.4) did most of the early damage.

Shrubsole induced Rachael Haynes (2 off 18) into chipping a simple return catch and yorked Jess Cameron (0 off 3) with an inswinger.

Alex Blackwell (4 off 3) and Meg Lanning (17 off 24) were caught behind and captain Jodie Fields (3 off 14) were all out before the 13th over had been completed.

Sthalekar notched four boundaries and Coyte six as they rebuilt the sickly innings.

However, when Sthalekar was bowled by Arran Brindle (2-33 off 8), the innings again went into decline.

Julie Hunter (16 not out off 35) provided the only tailend resistance, while spinner Holly Colvin (2-19 off 10) backed up her seamers superbly.

Australia suffered a blow before the game when pace spearhead Ellyse Perry was ruled out with an upset stomach and replaced by youngster Holly Ferling.