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CricInfo Women's Series - England v Australia

Australian women crush England by an innings to take lead in CricInfo Series
Kate Laven - 26 June 2001

Australian captain Belinda Clark congratulates her players on their first victory in the Ashes series and looks ahead to the one day internationals 28k

Jane Powell, England coach, talks Kate Laven through the defeat against Australia and points to the positives that emerged 28k

England tumbled to a heavy innings and 140 run defeat against Australia in the First CricInfo Test match at Shenley Park with more than a day to spare.

They were bowled out for 101 in their second innings, two runs fewer than the first innings total. Their combined totals equalled the individual score made by Australian Michelle Goszko, who yesterday matched the world batting record in women's cricket to win the player of the match award for Australia.

The final four wickets fell for 19 runs though Kate Lowe, the most impressive of England's six new debutants, and Laura Harper both made valuable contributions.

But both perished at the hands of Cathryn Fitzpatrick who added another three wickets to her first innings haul of 5-29. Lowe edged a lifting ball to second slip while Harper was bowled playing across the line.

Leg-spinner Olivia Magno wrapped up England's innings with turning balls that caught tailenders Nicky Shaw and Lucy Pearson unawares, proceedings closing in 61 overs before 3.00pm.

Afterwards England coach Jane Powell said there was much work to do on the batting to ensure they competed with the tourists in the remainder of the series, which features three One-Day Internationals and a second CricInfo Test.

"It was very disappointing in many ways, especially in the batting but we have got to start somewhere and we can't go any lower," she said.

"If I am looking for positives, it is the first time we have taken ten wickets against Australia in more than ten years and there were some good performances from some of our youngsters.

"It is my job is to build them up and get the best out of them which is what I aim to do over the next two weeks but we have a problem with both technique and confidence under pressure.

"They are not getting their head to the line of the ball and that is where we are coming unstuck and we are not playing it straight ? trying to whip it round the corner," she said, summing up the main flaws in both England's innings where batsmen got out playing across the line.

She pointed to Laura Harper and Kate Lowe as being among the impressive of the six debutants.

"It was a baptism of fire and some came through it. Lowe has the makings of a good player," she said of the 25-year-old Northamptonshire player batsman who made 23 and 18.

Australian captain Belinda Clark commented: "We were very keen to get a good result first up especially since we knew the weather would be good for a couple of days. All credit to the batters that set it up and the bowlers who did their job.

"It was not easy and although the wicket deteriorated towards the end of the match, we thought it would be more difficult to get them out second time round so we were happy with how we did.

"Michelle Goszko has fought her way back after being dropped from the national side and proving herself in state cricket and she has come back a better player."

© CricInfo


Related Link Women's Cricket
Teams Australia, England.
Players/Umpires Michelle Goszko, Belinda Clark, Kate Lowe, Laura Harper, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Olivia Magno, Jane Powell.
Tours CricInfo Women's Series
Scorecard 1st Women's Test: England Women v Australia Women, 24-27 Jun 2001
Grounds Denis Compton Oval, Shenley