Australia Secures Hat-Trick Victory: Lanning and Coyte Shine in Women’s World T20
Australia showcased their dominance in women’s T20 cricket by securing a hat-trick of World T20 titles with a six-wicket victory over England.
In Mirpur, Meg Lanning won the toss and decided to bat first for England because of the possibility of some bad weather.
England 105 for 8 (Coyte 3-16) lost against Australia 106 for 4 (Lanning 44) by six wickets.
The world’s top women’s T20 team is without a question in their identity. Australia easily defeated England, winning by six wickets, to win a hat-trick of World T20 titles. They were frugal in the field, holding England to 105 for 8, and they rapidly overtook the pace in the chase, which was aptly led by Meg Lanning, who duly became the event’s top run scorer with a strong 44.
The main distinction could be found in the number of sixes: England managed just one, ending their tournament score at zero, while Australia managed four, increasing their lead in the six-hitting league for the competition. In the Powerplays, Australia broke the back of the pursuit with 43 for 1, including two sixes, while England staggered to 24 for 1.
Setting the tone, Jess Jonassen hit Danielle Hazell’s opening ball for six as she amassed 14 runs off the second over of the innings. Anya Shrubsole, the tournament’s top wicket-taker, posed the most threat to Australia, but with a modest target to pursue, they knew they did not need to overaggressive against her. Nevertheless, it did not prevent Lanning from hitting her over the boundary, which was the final word from Australia’s skipper.
While Jenny Gunn removed Elyse Villani and Jonassen picked out mid-on to increase Shrubsole’s total number of wickets, they were little more than annoyances to Australia. Although Perry could not quite be there at the end as she tried to clear the infield for the winning shot but found mid-off, she skipped to an undefeated 31 as she and Lanning contributed 60 in eight overs. Earlier, Perry had claimed a meager 2 for 13 from her four overs.
The middle and lower order did not get much time in the middle when they were needed to attempt and elevate an innings in the final, and only Charlotte Edwards performed nearly to her potential throughout England’s lackluster batting performance during the tournament.
They were unable to overcome a sluggish surface as their two best batters, Edwards and Sarah Taylor, toiled valiantly against precise bowling. Edwards lofted the ball to mid-on in an attempt to force the pace, while Taylor was unfortunate to be leg before wicket on the reverse sweep, on her way to the second-best figures in a Women’s World T20 final, but Sarah Coyte dismissed them both.
Following the Powerplay, England’s lone convincing batting sequence saw Taylor and Heather Knight go along at a rate of over eight runs per over, suggesting they had made some progress toward mastering the conditions. However, Taylor was shortly followed by Lydia Greenway, who Healy well caught low down, and when Knight was brilliantly taken at deep midwicket, two new batsmen had to attempt to rebuild.
The only two boundaries in the second part of the innings came from Rene Farrell in the same over, and they never made a serious attempt to escape the shackles. It was anticipated, although, that Australia would still have to put in a lot of effort in the chase, but they hardly gave it a thought as they managed to hold onto a trophy that is now a permanent fixture in the Jolimont cabinet.
Also Read: Australia Women’s Thrilling Victroy in 2010 T20 World Cup Final
A Masterclass in Cricket Excellence
Australia’s flawless victory in the World T20 final against England showcased a masterclass in cricket prowess, led by the tenacious 22-year-old captain Meg Lanning. From their exceptional bowling to aggressive batting, Australia dominated every aspect of the game, leaving no room for England to shine.
The match highlighted Australia’s superiority, especially in power-hitting, as they smashed 18 sixes throughout the tournament, including four in the final, while England failed to hit a single one. Lanning’s strategic leadership and impressive batting performance, scoring 44 runs from 30 balls, underscored Australia’s dominance.
Lanning’s approach to power-hitting is a blend of timing and strength, emphasizing the importance of clearing the boundary in T20 matches. Her confidence stemmed from recent victories against England, including in the Ashes series, which boosted Australia’s morale and set the stage for their “perfect” game in the World T20 final.
The contrast between Australia’s aggressive play and England’s tentative start was stark, with Australia’s bowlers stifling England’s batting lineup early on. Sarah Coyte’s exceptional bowling earned her the Player of the Match title, further solidifying Australia’s control over the game.
Overall, Australia’s victory not only secured their third consecutive World T20 title but also served as redemption after recent setbacks against England. Their youthful yet experienced team showcased resilience and skill, setting a high standard in international women’s cricket.
