Australia lift Women’s World Twenty20

BRIDGETOWN - Australian women made up for the loss of the men’s team by winning the Women’s World Twenty20, beating New Zealand by three runs in a thrilling final here Sunday at the Kensington Oval.

New Zealand, chasing a modest 107 for victory after restricting their rivals to 106 for six, slumped to 29 for four inside eight overs. But Sophie Devine led a fight-back with her unbeaten 38 off 25 balls.

With the White Ferns needing 14 off the last over, pace bowler Ellyse Perry - backed up by fine fielding - bowled a sensational over and picked up three wickets to give Australia a sensational win.

The victory came just hours after Australia’s men’s team had lost in the final to arch-rivals England.

New Zealand skipper Aimee Watkins fell first, caught at short midwicket off pace bowler Clea Smith and Sara McGlashan was run out for just one after a dreadful mix-up with Suzie Bates.

Bates (18) was out trying to hit Perry across the line and lobbing a catch to mid-off.

Devine and Nicola Browne (20) led the fight-back, with three overs left, New Zealand needed 33 to win.

But when Perry had Browne caught behind cutting for 20, New Zealand were 77 for six. Devine smashed Rene Farrell for four and six off the last two balls of the 19th over and in the last over New Zealand needed 14 to win.

Earlier, Australia were put in the back-foot, opting to bat, after Browne rocked the top-order with a new-ball burst of two wickets for 11 runs.

Leah Poulton was the top scorer for 20. A 27-run stand between Sarah Elliott (19 not out) and Lisa Sthalekar (18) helped Australia get past the 100-run mark.