Australia make merry thanks to Perry

An all-round performance by Ellyse Perry (25 not out and 3-19) ensured Australia eves defeated West Indies by a whopping 114-run margin to clinch their sixth ICC Women's World Cup title in style at the Brabourne Stadium yesterday.

It was a sweet revenge for the Aussies who lost to the Caribbean side by eight runs a few days ago - their only defeat of the tournament. India has been a great hunting ground for the Aussies who won here in 1978, 1997-98 and 2013. Chasing a victory target of 260, West Indies lost quick wickets and were reduced to 4-88 in 26.1 overs. Only skipper Merissa Aguilleira (23), Deandra Dottin (22) and Kyshona Knight (21 not out) were able to go past the 20-run mark.

What a show
Perry (22), who was out due to an ankle injury all through the Super Six stage, made her presence felt in the final by scalping three important wickets - openers Kycia Knight (17), Natasha McLean (13) and Stafanie Taylor (5). Megan Schutt, Erin Osborne and Lisa Sthalekar claimed two wickets each to bowl out West Indies for 145 runs in 43.1 overs. Earlier, Australia got off to a good start with openers Meg Lanning (31) and Rachael Hayes (52) putting on 52 runs inside 10 overs. After Lanning departed, player of the match Jess Cameron (75 in 76 balls) got things rolling for Australia.

Australia's Ellyse Perry dives to stop the ball during the women's World Cup final against WI yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

The 23-year-old Victorian's knock included eight fours and two sixes. She managed to hold one end tight as she knitted small partnerships.

Collapse
However, Australia suffered a mid-innings collapse with the loss of Cameron, Sthalekar (12), Sarah Coyte (7) and Erin Osborne (7) falling in quick succession. Skipper Jodie Fields and Perry guided the team from Down Under to another important partnership (50 runs for the eighth wicket) to help them to 259. Shaquana Quintyne was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with 3-27. New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates was named the player of the tournament for scoring 407 runs in the tournament. Champions Australia won USD 75,000 while West Indies earned USD 35,000. u00a0