News - England Series 2008

From www.cricket.com.au 18 February 2008 - England stuns Stars Sportal

An unbeaten half-century from Claire Taylor has helped England retain the Ashes with a six-wicket victory over the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in Bowral on Monday.

Set 142 for victory, England cruised to 4-144 on the back of Taylor's unbeaten 64.

Needing to win the one-off Test to wrest the Ashes back from England, Australia declared its innings when it reached 9-231, an overall lead of 141, 40 minutes prior to the luncheon interval.

Lisa Sthalekar was denied a century when she fell for 98.

Australia struck early in England's run chase, removing opener Caroline Atkins in the ninth over but it could not strike often enough to send panic through the visitors' dressing room.

Isa Guha picked up the player of the match award after taking nine wickets in the game, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings which decimated Australia's batting line-up.

From www.cricket.com.au 17 February, 2008 - Sthalekar spurs Stars

Lisa Sthalekar has given the Southern Stars an outside chance of victory heading into the final day in the one-off Ashes Test between Australia and England at Bowral Oval.

Sthalekar's unbeaten 95 carried the hosts to 4-195 at the end of day three, a lead of 105 runs after Australia had earlier dismissed England for 244.

The all-rounder will look to bring up her second Test ton early on Monday but of greater concern will be building a big enough lead to bowl at. Australia needs to win the match to regain the Ashes from the old enemy.

England started the day at 7-222, and went on to lose its final three wickets for just 11 runs. Emma Sampson (2-65) removed Laura Marsh (7), Kirsten Pike (1-29) had Rosalie Birch (12) caught and then Shelley Nitschke (2-27) removed Isa Guha.

With a lead of just 90, England had given up much of its advantage, with its last seven wickets falling for just 59 runs.

Guha (3-51) got her side back firmly on top, however, trapping Melissa Bulow for two, bowling Alex Blackwell for 24 and then getting Karen Rolton lbw for four to have the Southern Stars reeling at 3-34.

That brought Sthalekar and Nitschke to the wicket, and the match turned once more after a disciplined effort from both players. They moved the score to 3-97 at tea, eradicating the first-innings advantage in the process.

Their partnership had built to 107 before Holly Colvin (1-34) came on in a new spell and tempted Nitschke to hit the ball down the ground, with the Englishwoman completing a smart catch off her own bowling.

Sthalekar was joined by Kate Blackwell (27no), and the pair remained positive, building their partnership to an unbeaten 54 when stumps were called at just after 5:30pm local time.

From www.cricket.com.au 16 February, 2008 - Aussie stars fight back

Australia has fought back in the final session of day two to stay in the one-off Test against England at Bowral's Bradman Oval.

Having been skittled for only 154 on Friday the home side looked in all sorts of trouble when England claimed the lead for the loss of only two wickets, but a collapse of 4-3 left the tourists at 7-222 and leading by 68 with two days remaining.

England was in some early trouble at 2-26 before skipper Charlotte Edwards made 94 and Claire Taylor 79 as they responded superbly with a 159-run third-wicket union that looked like giving their side an imposing lead.

But Lisa Sthalekar and Ellyse Perry dragged Australia back into the match with the new ball late in the day, Sthalekar grabbing 3-39 from 19 overs and Perry 2-46 from 20, before Shelley Nitschke (1-27) chimed in with the final breakthrough of the afternoon.

England began the day at 0-22 but lost both openers in consecutive overs as Perry got the better of Caroline Atkins (15) and then five deliveries later Emma Sampson (1-57) followed up by bowling Beth Morgan (10).

That was to be all the joy the Australians enjoyed for several hours though, the local attack forced to toil for another 61 overs before Perry finally brought about Edwards' downfall with the second new ball.

From 3-185, Taylor was joined by Sarah Taylor and they added 31 for the fourth wicket to restore some order before things went pear shaped thanks to Sthalekar's devastating burst of three wickets in as many overs.

Claire Taylor fell in the 109th over and in the 111th Sarah Taylor was bowled, before Sthalekar kept up the pressure by also bowling Nicki Shaw for a duck and then Nitschke sent Lydia Greenway (0) on her way.

When play resumes on Sunday morning Australia will be looking to wrap things up quickly and set about erasing its first-innings deficit, with Rosalie Birch (one) and Laura Marsh (two) the unbeaten batters.

From www.cricket.com.au 15 February, 2008 - Stars on back foot

The Southern Stars were in huge trouble at stumps on day one after a disastrous batting collapse in the one-off Test against England at Bradman Oval.

Australia was bowled out for a meagre 154 after being sent in under overcast skies. England openers Beth Morgan and Caroline Atkins safely negotiated the final 16 overs of the day to steer the visitors to 0-22 at stumps, a deficit of 132.

Isa Guha inflicted the damage on Australia, finishing with the stellar figures of 5-40. She grabbed four of the first five wickets to fall, including that of Karen Rolton for 34, to leave the Stars reeling at 5-59.

It took a determined 45 from Kate Blackwell to avoid total embarrassment for the home side.

She received support from the in-form Ellyse Perry, who made 21, the pair sharing an important 50-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Nicola Shaw claimed 2-18 from 19 tight overs.

From www.cricket.com.au 14 February, 2008 - Stars ready to reclaim Ashes

Four debutants have been named in the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars team to play England in the one-off women’s Ashes Test match starting at the Bradman Oval in Bowral tomorrow (February 15).

Fast bowlers Kirsten Pike and Emma Sampson, all-rounder Ellyse Perry and wicket-keeper Leonie Coleman have all been selected in the Test side for the first time in their careers and will receive their baggy green caps before play tomorrow. All four have previously played one-day international cricket for Australia.

Ellyse Perry will also become the youngest ever Australian Test player, male or female. Perry will be 17 years and 104 days old when she debuts, surpassing Ian Craig who was 17 years and 239 days old when he first played Test cricket.

The full Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars team for the Test match is:

• Karen Rolton (captain – SA)
• Lisa Sthalekar (vice-captain – NSW)
• Sarah Andrews (NSW)
• Alex Blackwell (NSW)
• Kate Blackwell (NSW)
• Melissa Bulow (Qld)
• Leonie Coleman (NSW)
• Shelley Nitschke (SA)
• Ellyse Perry (NSW)
• Kirsten Pike (Qld)
• Emma Sampson (SA)
• Sarah Edwards (12th - Vic)

After losing the last series in 2005 the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars need to win this Test match to regain the Ashes.

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Karen Rolton said the team was looking forward to a close match.

“Both the teams are pretty evenly matched at the moment and that was reflected in drawn one-day series. We are certainly expecting a tightly fought contest. There are several players in our current side who were there when we lost the Ashes back in 2005 so we are especially keen to perform over the next four days.” she said.

“We are very proud to be able to wear the baggy green cap and represent Australia in Test cricket. It’s going to be very exciting for the debutants in the side when they receive their first baggy green on the morning of day one. It is a moment in their careers which they will remember for a long time.”

The Ashes Test match runs from 15-18 February 2008. Play starts at 10:30am each day and entry to the game is free.

From www.cricket.com.au 11 February, 2008 - Players set for showdown in Bowral James Watson for cricket.com.au

As the sun sets over the boyhood home of the great Sir Donald Bradman in Bowral NSW, the ground that bears his name feverishly prepares to host the most anticipated game of Women’s Cricket since the 2005 World Cup Final.

Despite holding the rank of number one in the world, Australia’s World Cup champion Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will be out to reclaim the one piece of hardware that has eluded them since their test defeat on English soil in 2006, the ‘Women’s Ashes’.

Still on a high after their performance against England in front of more than 20,000 fans in a Twenty20 match at the MCG on February 1, Stars captain Karen Rolton has been happy with her team's form leading into the one-off Test Match. She is also, however, wary of England’s batting prowess and record in the game's four-day format.

“They’re going to be pretty tough to beat and hopefully we can do it,” she said.

“They’ve got two or three keys, Sarah Taylor their opening batter is one of them along with Charlotte Edwards. Both make their top order extremely strong. It will be tough to get them out but we’ll be backing our bowlers to get the wickets we need.”

On her third tour to Australia, England’s captain and premier batsman Edwards said that she was happy going into the game with the Ashes still firmly in her nations grasp.

“Yeah it’s certainly good going in knowing that you’re the team to beat,” she said.

“After the last Ashes series in 2005, it was a fantastic series so we’ve been really looking forward to it. Playing at the Bowral ground, the home of Don Bradman, it’s going to be great.”

To combat England’s top order, led by one of the most prolific run scorers in the history of Women’s Cricket in Edwards, the Australians will call upon in-form spinners Shelley Nitschke and Lisa Sthalekar who have both wreaked havoc on England’s top order in the series thus far.

“Australia have a good all round team, both teams seem really evenly matched. The spinners might be a key for them, they’ve certainly done well in the one-dayers so far,” Edwards said.

“(They’re) going to come at us all guns blazing and we’re ready for that so hopefully its going to make for a really good Test Match.”

Australian Vice-Captain Lisa Sthalekar sees things a little differently, feeling that with Australia has nothing to lose and everything to gain in Bowral.

“We’ve just got to focus on what we do and the thing that has let us down is probably our batting and if we can get that right we’ll do just fine,” she said.

“One Test does make it quite difficult but I think the one-off opportunity will really ignite the Australian side into playing an aggressive form of Test Cricket.”

With the town abuzz with excitement in anticipation for the clash, Executive Director of the Bradman Foundation Rina Hore said that the game was one of the most significant in the history of the Bradman Oval.

“All of our membership and the entire community are ecstatic about having a four day women’s test match at the Bradman Oval. It’s the first four day match ever to be played on the Bradman Oval and we are very excited about that.”

“Our curator Josh Woodcock has been working very hard to prepare the strip all season. It’s been extremely difficult with all the rain and cold weather but he’s done a great job and there will be something in it for everyone.”

The ‘Women’s Ashes’ takes place at the Bradman Oval in Bowral from February 15-18, starting at 10.30am.

“Bring a chair, free entry and come and enjoy the food and beverages and the cricket,” Hore said.

“It’s game on.”

From www.cricket.com.au 11 February, 2008 - Stars level series

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have defeated England by 41 runs in the fifth and final game of the women's international series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

The victory means that the five-game series between the Southern Stars and their English rivals finishes at two games apiece, with the two countries to share the winning trophy.

On the back of a well compiled 61 from opener Alex Blackwell, Australia set England a target of 211 for victory.

After England made a solid start in reply, the Australian attack made some key breakthroughs in the middle stages of the run chase, before taking the last five wickets for just 32 runs to dismiss the tourists in the 47th over.

Stars' captain Karen Rolton won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on what looked to be a good batting wicket.

The Aussies got off to a strong start with Blackwell combining with fellow opener Shelley Nitschke (50) to put on 90 for the opening wicket.

Vice captain Lisa Sthalekar chipped in with 28, with Kate Blackwell also contributing a brisk 23.

Stephanie Davies was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors claiming a tidy 4-47 from her nine overs, while Nikkie Shaw bowled well and finished with figures of 1-16 off 10 overs.

Ellyse Perry (3-30) picked up both English openers in a devastating opening spell of fast bowling, but Charlotte Edwards (44) and Lydia Greenway (42) combined at the crease to get the visitors back on track.

After the duo put on 50 runs for the fourth wicket, Sthalekar dismissed Edwards and Kirsten Pike (2-27) got rid of Greenway as the tourists' run chase started to go pear shaped.

Emma Sampson (2-30) came back into the attack to clean up the tail as the Southern Stars went on to register a comfortable victory and level the series.

From www.cricket.com.au 11 February, 2008 - Crunch match for Stars

Today’s final match in the five game one-day international series between the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and England is proving as the decider, with the Stars needing a win to level the series.

After the English girls cruised to victory in game one, the Stars bounced back in game two with an easy victory on the back of some magic from the Blackwell sisters.

Game three of the series was abandoned, with England claiming a seven wicket victory yesterday to take a 2-1 series lead.

Today’s final game is shaping as an arm wrestle with England looking to hang on to the series lead and the Australians desperately needing to win to level the series and take some confidence to Bowral ahead of Friday's Test match.

From www.cricket.com.au 10 February, 2008 - England cruises past Southern Stars

England has taken a 2-1 series lead over Australia after a seven-wicket victory in the fourth women's Commonwealth Bank series match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Charlotte Edwards was the star for England, the skipper scoring an unbeaten 70 to guide the tourists past the Southern Stars' total of 177 with four overs remaining.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia lost Alex Blackwell in the third over of the day, but Karen Rolton and Shelley Nitschke combined to put the hosts in a strong position.

The duo were scoring at will and the scoreboard was ticking over nicely at 1-112, until Holly Colvin came into the attack and took two quick wickets to give the visitors the upper hand.

Rolton was the first to go for a well made 65, before Colvin picked up vice captain Lisa Sthalekar for two and Nikkie Shaw dismissed Nitschke for 54 to leave Australia at 4-136.

The Southern Stars' lower order toiled hard, but Laura Marsh (3-18), Shaw (3-37) and Colvin (2-27) cleaned up the tail in style to dismiss the hosts in the final over.

England's run chase got off to a solid start with Sarah Taylor and Beth Morgan scoring freely, but Australian teenager Ellyse Perry dismissed the duo in quick succession to give the Southern Stars hope.

However, Claire Taylor and Edwards combined at the crease and put on a 131-run partnership to guide the visitors to an easy victory.

The fifth and final match between England and Australia will take place at the SCG on Monday, with the Southern Stars needing a win to square the five-game series at two games apiece after the third match was washed out.

From www.cricket.com.au 7 February, 2008 - Stars washed out

Today’s 3rd Women’s One-Day International between the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and England at Drummoyne Oval has been abandoned (February 7).

The match was a victim of the extraordinary wet weather experienced in Sydney over the last week with the constant heavy rain making it extremely difficult for ground staff to prepare the ground.

The series remains locked at 1-1 after England won game one (February 3) and the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars game two (February 4). Both of those matches were played in Melbourne.

The teams will now play Game Four of the series at the SCG on Sunday (February 10) with the fifth and final game the following day (February 11), also at the SCG.

Teams then travel to Bowral for a one-off Ashes Test match at the Bradman Oval (February 15-18).

From www.cricket.com.au 6 February, 2008 - Legend spins into Stars training By Matt Cenin for cricket.com.au

As the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars prepared for an attack on our English rivals recently, the squad received a surprise at training with Cricket Australia Spin Bowling Ambassador Shane Warne bowling up to training.

Australia’s highest ever wicket-taker spent two hours at the Stars training session working closely with all the players, chatting at length with the spin group including leg-spinner Kris Britt.

The South Australian Scorpions player got a few hot tips from Warne that she hopes will come in handy during the series against England.

“It was an awesome experience – obviously he’s the best in the business when it comes to leg spin bowling and to get tips from him was excellent,” Britt told cricket.com.au exclusively.

“We spoke a lot about one-day cricket because the majority of women’s cricket are one-dayers.

“We talked about field settings and how to bowl to batters; Shane just said rather than looking at spot on the pitch to bowl, we should concentrate on what shot we wanted the batters to play, and plot their downfall that way.

“I’ve definitely seen a change in my bowling so far in the nets – I’m thinking more about trying to get a batter to play the shot I want to see them play.”

Britt is the only leggie in the Stars squad and was champing at the bit at the possibility of working with Warne again in the future.

“He’s certainly an asset for Cricket Australia to have and for him to come along to training was a bonus and it was just a thrill to have him there,” the 24-year-old said.

As well as working with the spinners, Warne talked spin tactics with fellow tweakers Lisa Sthaleker and Shelley Nitschke, before also speaking with skipper Karen Rolton about strategies and field placing for spin bowlers during a game.

“He spoke to Karen Rolton our captain, and our Lisa Sthaleker our vice-captain, and also to the four state captains in our squad individually.

“Shane just talked about the role of spin bowling and about its aggressive style, about suitable field settings and explained that leg-spin bowlers are more wicket-takers than containment type bowlers.”

After working with the spin bowlers and captains amongst the squad, Warne also sat down and talked tactics with team, once again plotting another English downfall, something Warne cherished in his days wearing the Baggy Green.

From www.cricket.com.au - 6 February, 2008 - Stars out to shine by Adam Lucius, Sportal

Having clawed their way back into the series with an emphatic 84-run win on Monday, Australia's female cricketers have set that performance as a minimum standard heading into game three against England at Drummoyne Oval on Thursday.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are steadily building into the series after a bitterly disappointing first-up loss and see the third game as pivotal to their chances of taking the upper-hand.

The best-of-five series sits at 1-1 heading into the final three matches. Opener Alex Blackwell, who scored her maiden international one-day century in Monday's win at the MCG, said: "We went out there to correct a few things from the first game and get a bit more consistency."

"We were very disappointed with the performance and wanted to come back and for each person to fulfil their role."

"I think we did that and we’re 1-all now in the series which is really important."

"That performance is now the required minimum from here on."

Alex and twin sister Kate were the catalyst for Australia's revival in Melbourne.

Alex lasted until the penultimate ball of the innings, top scoring with 101, while Kate finished with an undefeated 57 from 60 deliveries.

The sisters put on a 111-run partnership to set up Australia's imposing total of 4-250.

The visitors were bowled out for a paltry 156 in reply.

"It was great to get my first century, and on the MCG," Alex said.

"I set myself the challenge of batting the entire innings and just fell short by one ball."

"Kate batted really well. She was hitting the ball very sweetly."

Growing up in the NSW Riverina town of Griffith, the Blackwells had a host of sporting options opened to them.

They eventually settled on cricket after shelving promising soccer careers. "We tried a whole of different sports when we growing up but soccer and cricket were the main ones for about 10 years," Alex explained.

"Cricket won out in the end and there have been no regrets."

England will be hoping to see a little less of the Blackwell siblings when play gets underway at Drummoyne Oval at 10am Thursday.

The fourth match of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, with the SCG hosting the teams for the final game on Monday.

The one-day series will then make way for a one-off Test at Bradman Oval from February 15-18.

From www.cricket.com.au - 4 February, 2008 - Stars bounce back

Alex Blackwell's maiden one-day international century has helped Australia to a convincing 84-run victory in the second Commonwealth Bank series match against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

After England produced a surprise victory over the hosts on Sunday, Australia bounced back with an impressive performance as it batted first and posted an intimidating 4-240 from its 50 overs on the back of fine contributions from Blackwell (101) and her identical twin sister Kate (57).

The target proved too much for England to handle as 17-year-old Australian allrounder Ellyse Perry ripped through the tourist's top order, claiming 3-24 from eight overs and running out the dangerous Lydia Greenway for 27 as the Southern Stars bowled out England for 156 in the 46th over.

England had gone into the much bolstered by an impressive all-round performance in Sunday's win over the Aussies at the MCG, just the tourist's second all-time victory on Australian soil.

However, the Southern Stars managed to win a valuable toss, opting to bat in the sunny conditions and condemning England to chase in the afternoon when rain was expected.

England's Jenny Gunn, who scored 48 runs and took the wickets of both openers in the first match, picked up where she left on Sunday almost immediately, tempting Shelley Nitschke (12) into an attempted cut that was caught by Greenway at point in the fourth over.

Southern Stars' captain Karen Rolton (12) soon followed as she was bowled by Nikkie Shaw off the last ball of the ninth over, but vice captain Lisa Sthalekar (45) and Alex Blackwell soon steadied the ship, putting on 93 for the third wicket.

Holly Colvin eventually took Sthalekar's wicket, bowling the New South Welshwoman in the 30th over with Australia on 129, but the damage had already been done as Kate Blackwell joined her twin at the crease as the sisters put on 111 to place the Southern Stars into a commanding position.

Alex Blackwell was eventually caught by Claire Taylor off Gunn's (2-39) bowling in the final over, leaving Kris Britt and Kate Blackwell still at the crease, with Kate having posted her highest ODI score.

Young NSW all-rounder Perry had proved to be a thorn in England's side during the first match, scoring 40 at number seven, but she also proved adept with the ball in this encounter despite a nervous start which saw her send down two wides in her first over.

However, when her line straightened, Perry started England's collapse in the fourth over of the innings, having opener Sarah Taylor caught by Nitschke for nine.

Two overs later, Perry claimed England skipper Claire Taylor's wicket for zero as the number three bat sent another catch towards Nitschke before the teenager trapped England skipper Charlotte Edwards (0) in front three balls later.

Beth Morgan (27) and Greenway attempted to rebuild the innings, putting on 41 before Kirsten Pike (1-41) trapped Morgan lbw in the 21st over, with Greenway (27) following soon after as she was run out by Perry.

Gunn (12) could not repeat her first match heroics, trapped in front by Emma Sampson (1-23) before Shaw's downfall left England at a precarious 7-98.

Caroline Atkins (23) and Rosalie Birch (27) attempted to defy the hosts with a solid 47-run stand, but they could only hold back the Southern Stars for so long as Australia cantered to an easy win

From www.cricket.com.au - 3 February, 2008 - Stars come crashing down

England has drawn first blood in the five-match one-day series with the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars courtesy of a comprehensive 56-run win at the MCG on Sunday.

Set 234 to win, the home team was unable to mount a sustained challenge at the testing target and was bowled out in the final over its innings.

Australia's run chase faltered early and quickly fell behind the required run rate.

Young gun Ellyse Perry top scored with 40 (65 balls) and Karen Rolton added 30 (62 balls), but meaningful partnerships were few and far between.

The comprehensive victory was just the second by England's women in a one-day international in Australia and its highest score on Australian soil.

After being sent into bat, England started strongly with Sarah Taylor
(44 off 64), Claire Taylor (30 off 37) and Beth Morgan (20 off 45) contributing in the top order.

The decisive partnership in the match was an 80-run stand between England all-rounder Jenny Gunn and Lydia Greenway for the fifth wicket after Australia had started to gain the upper hand through spinners Shelley Nitschke (2-38) and Lisa Sthalekar (1-35).

When Gunn departed for 48 from 64 balls after an unlucky run out, Greenway (48 not out off 60) guided her team to a further 37 runs off the final four overs.

Like its contributors with the willow, England's bowling honours were evenly spread.

Laura Marsh claimed three wickets, while Gunn and Rosalie Birch took two apiece.

The second match of the series will be played at the MCG on Monday (today).

From www.cricket.com.au - 1 February, 2008 - Perry stars in big win by Andrew Wu at the MCG, Sportal

The Southern Stars have cruised to a 21-run victory over England in their Twenty20 clash at the MCG on Friday.

The home side's total of 5-127 did not seem imposing, especially when openers Beth Morgan and Charlotte Edwards were at the crease, but a flurry of wickets soon had the visitors on the back foot.

The match, played as a curtain raiser to the men's clash between Australia and India, gave fans that arrived early a tasty appetiser to the later match.

The stars with the bat for Australia were Alex Blackwell and Ellyse Perry, the pair hitting what turned out to be a match-winning 56-run stand after combining when the hosts were teetering at 5-71.

Blackwell made 30 off 28 deliveries, while Perry, who later claimed 4-20 to be named player of the match, smashed 29 off 25 balls to give Australia a defendable total.

The pair's heroics lifted Australia out of a dire situation. The hosts had raced to 34 in the fifth over but lost five wickets in seven overs before being rescued by Blackwell and Perry.

The English also made a bright start with the bat but just when they needed to accelerate their scoring rate, they were hamstrung by a string of wickets.

While Claire Taylor was at the crease, the visitors still had hope but she was caught short of her ground by Perry, who then claimed three wickets in nine balls to derail England's chase.

From www.cricket.com.au - 31 January, 2008 - Villani sparks Shooting Stars

A splendid innings from Elyse Villani has led the Shooting Stars to an upset eight-wicket victory over the Southern Stars in the Women's Tour match at Geelong Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Villani hit 85 off 78 balls as the Australian under 21 team chased down a modest 9-168 set by their senior counterparts off 45 overs, to post 2-172, and win with 12 overs to spare.

The Southern Stars won the toss and elected to bat first, and openers Alex Blackwell (45) and Shelley Nitschke (21) got the team off to a good start, before Delissa Kimmince dismissed Nitschke with the score on 42.

Karen Rolton (six) joined Blackwell at the crease and the pair put on a further 31 runs before Jo-Ann Verrall dismissed Rolton, before the rot set in for the senior Australians.

Lisa Sthalekar (nine) didn't last long in the middle, as Kimmince (3-18 off nine overs) and Verrall (2-24 from four overs) swept through the lower order.

In reply, Villani didn't waste any time in pursuit of the target as she and Rachael Haynes (26) quickly dispatched the Southern Stars bowling line-up to all parts of the ground.

When Nitschke got rid of Haynes with the score on 89 the Southern Stars had an outside chance of victory, but Alyssa Healy (41 not out) joined Villani at the crease to guide the youngsters home.

From www.cricket.com.au - 30 January, 2008 - England shoot down Stars

England has cruised to a 75-run victory in their tour match against the Australian Women's Under-21 Shooting Stars side at Kardinia Park.

On the back of a 134-run opening stand between Sarah Taylor (56) and Beth Morgan (70), the tourists finished at 9/249 off their 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Morgan was in particularly devastating form plundering six boundaries and bringing up her half century off 99 balls.

Some powerful middle order hitting from skipper Charlotte Edwards (31 from 32 balls) and Lydia Greenway (31 from 25 balls) kept the run rate ticking along as the visitors chased their first win of the tour.

Delissa Kimmince was the pick of the Australian bowlers with figures of 2-48 from her ten overs.

The home side began their run chase in impressive fashion with openers Rachel Haynes (37) and Elise Villani (30) combining for a 78-run partnership.

Rosalie Birch snared the breakthrough with the wicket of Haynes before knocking over Nicole Bolton (0) and Hall (7) cheaply.

Rene Farrell (30 not out) tried valiantly to rescue the home side late in the innings but England had the upper hand for the majority of the game and the Shooting Stars were eventually all out in the 49th over.

Birch was the standout performer with the ball finishing with 3-21, as well as a run-out, off her ten overs.

From www.cricket.com.au - 28 January, 2008 - Aussie Under 21s win

Australia's Women's Under 21 side has recorded a 52-run win in their tour match against England at the Albert Cricket Ground on Monday.

Victorian 18-year-old Jessica Cameron was the star of the show for Australia with a top score of 53 not out, which included seven fours and a six, and bowling figures of 2-32.

The Aussies' decision to bat after winning the toss proved to be a correct one as the hosts went on to make 8-214 from their allotment of 50 overs.

Alyssa Healy (45) helped Cameron ensure that the Aussies posted a healthy target for England to chase down.

For the visitors, Stephanie Davies (2-28), Laura Marsh (2-36) and Isa Guha (2-40) all put in solid performances in their attempt to curb the Aussie batswomen.

In reply, England struggled to string together any meaningful partnerships and eventually succumbed to be bowled out for 162 after 42 overs.

Caroline Atkins top-scored with 32 not out and skipper Charlotte Edwards (22) was the only other Englishwoman to score more than 20.

Rene Farrell (3-22) was the chief destroyer for Under 21s while Corrine Hall (2-14) and Cameron also figured prominently.

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From www.cricket.com.au - 25 January, 2008 - Spirit down England

Victoria Spirit has cruised to a comfortable nine-wicket victory against England in the Tour match at Caulfield Grammar in Melbourne.

England was dismissed for 137 by Victoria, and the hosts had little trouble reaching the target, Rachael Haynes (63 not out) and Sarah Edwards (50 not out) guiding the Spirit to the total in the 36th over.

Victoria won the toss and sent England into bat, and it didn't take long for the tourists to be in a spot of trouble.

Annie Maloney (2-38) and Clea Smith (2-21) terrorised the English top-order with some excellent line and length bowling, as the tourists were reduced to 2-30 in the 10th over.

Jane Franklin (2-16) and Jodie Dean (2-31) came into the attack, and things didn't get any better for England, with Jenny Gunn (29) the only player to look comfortable at the crease.

After dismissing England in the 49th over, the Spirit wasted no time in pursuit of the modest total.

Gunn trapped Elyse Villani lbw for 15 in the fourth over to give the tourists some hope, but Edwards joined Haynes at the crease to ensure the victory for the Spirit.

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