AUSSIES SIZZLE TO CLINCH CUP

CLINICAL. Dominant. Completely fearless.

The Australian Women’s Cricket team beat India by 85 runs to be crowned the T20

World Cup champions in front of a recordbreaking 86,174 crowd at the MCG last night.

In a tournament where the Aussies were plagued by form slumps, injuries and extensive travel, they saved their comprehensive best till last.

With explosive hitting that derailed the Indian bowlers, to quick running between wickets that pressured the field, to then taking the ball and swarming the Indian batters, the green and gold completely dominated.

On a memorable day for women’s sport – and played on International Women’s Day – the key to winning this game was always going to be about which team adjusted to the noise and pressure of the big stage.

That team was Australia: setting India an ominous 185 for victory, India crumpled in their run chase, being bowled out in the final over for only 99 runs.

Aussie openers Alyssa Healy (75) and Beth Mooney (78) set the team’s aggressive, unapologetic intent early after Healy was dropped in the opening over. Captain Meg Lanning added her own runs as the Aussies set an imposing target.

It proved one the Indians never neared. Inswinger Megan Schutt set the tone by taking the wicket of explosive teenager Shafali Verma in the opening over.

Jess Jonassen took a wicket the next over and Sophie Molinuex struck with her first ball and Australia had India on the ropes at 4/32 by the end of the powerplay.