TWENTY20 CHAMPS

TWENTY20 CHAMPS|TWENTY20 CHAMPS
Associated Press / Johnny Jno Baptiste|Associated Press / Johnny Jno Baptiste

Favorite Australia beat England by eight wickets on Sunday night to reclaim the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 title in finals at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua and make amends for their loss two years ago.

They maintained their Twenty20 dominance of women’s cricket when they bowled out England for 105 and romped home to a one-sided win, losing only two wickets in the process.

The Aussies added the 2018 titles to the titles they won in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

It was their fifth consecutive qualification for a World Twenty20 final.

Winning the toss and deciding to bat first England began promisingly with 12 runs in the first over, but that remained their best of the innings.

Ashleigh Gardner was brilliant on the night for Australia and finished with three wickets as England pushed their total to 100 before folding up for 105 in the 19.4 over.

Only two English batters got into double figures, as the others failed to come to terms with the slow nature of the pitch and very disciplined bowling by the Australians.

Opener Danni Wyatt top scored for England with 43 that came off 37 balls with five fours and a six.

England slipped from 64 for 3 to all out for l05.

When Australia started their reply “Player of the Tournament” Alyssa Healy got her team to a rapid start and although she fell for 22 of 20 balls, striking four fours and posted an opening stand with Beth Mooney (14) of 29, in just 4.4 overs. Gardner then scored an unbeaten 33 and together with captain Meg Lanning 28 not out, took the Aussies home.

Defending champion West Indies Women tumbled out of the finals against Australia in the first semi-final at the same venue two days earlier.

Captain Stafaine Taylor seemed shocked after the defending champions collapsed for 71 against Australia.

The Aussies got their revenge on the West Indians for their shock victory in the 2016 finals.

In the other semi-final on the same night, England beat India to take on Australia in the final.

The Australian women’s cricket team poses for a photo after winning the final of the Women’s World Twenty20 against England in North Sound, Antigua, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018.
Associated Press / Johnny Jno Baptiste