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England Women 134-1 (SJ Taylor 68, Atkins 48no) beat
Australia Women 133 (Farrell 39no, Colvin 3-27)
Scorecard
First One-Day International, Chelmsford
By Peter Exley
England's bowlers produced a brilliant display to bowl out Australia for just 133 in the first One-Day International at Chelmsford, to set them up for a nine wicket victory over the touring Aussies.
The two sides clashed again with the home side looking to rediscover their World Cup winning form after a slight blemish on their record, losing to the Australians in their recent Twenty20 International.
England were dealt an early blow with inspirational captain Charlotte Edwards having to pull out before the match due to illness which meant that Ebony Rainford-Brent retained her place from the Twenty20 match in place of the captain. Katherine Brunt also returned to the England side after being rested from the team that lost last week. Australia also made changes, bringing in Lisa Sthalekar and Elysse Perry to the team in place of Cameron and Pike.
Despite the loss of the captain, England got off to the best possible start with Brunt striking from the very first ball of the match, dismissing Shelley Nitchske to a poor slash outside off stump that saw her caught in the gulley. The drama of the first over continued as Brunt went on to remove Sthalekar with a beautiful outswinger that squared her up completely. This left the tourists reeling at four for two from only the first over.
Although Australia showed some resistance, mostly in the form of taking up a lot of deliveries, (Leah Poulton's eight came from 29 balls) they continued to lose regular wickets, Holly Colvin the pick of the bowlers with three for 27 from her allocation.
The tourists fell to 97 for nine but a last wicket partnership of 36 between Rene Farrell and Andrews gave them something to bowl at.
Chasing 134 to win, the tourists never looked threatening with the ball and the two England openers put on 119 for the first wicket and they were looking like completing a ten-wicket victory until Sarah Taylor was removed for 68 from 74 balls. She was ably supported by Caroline Atkins who finished unbeaten on 48. The only wicket to fall was taken by Lisa Sthalekar, caught behind by captain Jodie Fields.
England sauntered to their nine wicket victory with 23 overs to spare which underlined their complete dominance in this match.
England's win comes after a shock defeat in the previous Twenty20 International, but with their team back to full strength, with the exception of captain Charlotte Edwards, England showed their rivals just why they are double World Champions.
© Cricket World 2009
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