Perry's ton powers Aussies to emphatic ODI series win

A superb century from star allrounder Ellyse Perry has helped Australia seal a 151-run victory and wrap up the one-day international series over the West Indies with a game still to play in Antigua.

A dramatic first innings at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium had it all; a last-minute change of captain for the Australians, a hectic cap presentation ceremony for a debutant, an innings retirement due to the stifling heat, the joint-fastest ODI fifty by an Australian woman and of course, Perry’s second ODI hundred.

It was Perry’s brilliant unbeaten 112 from 118 deliveries that laid the foundation for Australia’s total of 2-308, their second consecutive total above 300.

The superhuman allrounder then defied all notions of fatigue to take the new ball, picking up the wicket of Windies opener Stacy Ann King in her second over.

Set a monumental target, the hosts never looked particularly hurried in their pursuit after losing two early wickets, instead frustrating the Australian attack to finish on 8-157 at the end of 50 overs.

Australia had planned to field an unchanged XI for the second of three ODIs, before captain Meg Lanning was ruled out just moments before the coin toss due to back spasms.

Vice-captain Rachael Haynes was forced to sprint from the ground mid-warm-up to change into her Australian uniform for the toss, where she called correctly and elected to bat.

At the same time, Australian coach Matthew Mott hurried over to uncapped allrounder Erin Burns, shaking her hand with the news she’d be making a long-awaited debut.

A cap presentation quickly followed as Burns received ODI cap No.141 from Sydney Sixers teammate Perry.

Image Id: C9A5E734F4ED4D1497B39C3CD03BB6BD Image Caption: Erin Burns received ODI cap No.141 from Sixers teammate Ellyse Perry // cricket.com.au

Haynes (13) and Healy then put on 56 for the first wicket, with in-form Healy the aggressor as she brought up a half-century from just 33 deliveries – including taking 18 from one Chinelle Henry over.

Her hopes of back-to-back one-day tons were thwarted when Henry had her revenge, Healy miscuing an attempted lofted drive to depart for 58.

Perry made the most of her promotion to No.3 in Lanning’s absence, never looking like being removed from the crease once she’d arrived.

Her half-century was more sedate than Healy’s, coming off 66 deliveries, but in sweltering conditions she was unflappable as she expertly worked the ball around Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

At the other end it was a different story for Beth Mooney. The Queenslander never looked comfortable in the harsh conditions, sitting on her haunches between balls as the heat began to get the better of her.

She fought admirably to bring up her own fifty from 76 balls but lasted just five more deliveries before being walked from the ground by the team doctor and physio, retiring due to heat stress on 56.

But her retirement brought zero relief for the Windies as Ashleigh Gardner strode to the middle in an ominous mood and produced a stunning late-innings onslaught, cleared the rope three times as she brought up her half-century from 23 balls – the equal fastest by an Australian woman.

 

Image Id: 9BFF7365CB7D4A7D8E0497028BC9D235 Image Caption: Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner ended Australia's innings in style // cricket.com.au

 

Her fireworks helped put on 67 runs from the final five overs and lifted the Australian total above 300, as she finished unbeaten on 57 from just 25 deliveries.

With the ball, it was Georgia Wareham (2-29 off 10) who led the wicket-taking as Australia’s bowling attack ensured the West Indies never seriously looked in the chase - although debutant Sheneta Grimmond provided some spark at No.8 with 31.

Kyshona Knight (23 and 81) and captain Stafanie Taylor (21 off 46) dug in for the hosts, but when they were removed by Wareham in consecutive deliveries it was simply a matter of time for the Australians, who utilised eight different bowlers.

Earlier, Burns, 31, earned her maiden Australian cap after more than a decade of plying her trade around the country at state level.

Image Id: B5D79FE1D809416E8D8E110071537FDE Image Caption: 'You're in!' Matthew Mott delivers the good news // cricket.com.au

A New South Wales native, the spin-bowling allrounder was unable to break into a strong Breakers line-up so made the move to Tasmania when the team was introduced to the Women’s National Cricket League in 2009.

In 2016-17 she made the move to the ACT Meteors – a switch that coincided with a shift from the Hurricanes to the Sixers in the Rebel WBBL – while earlier this year she completed the circle, earning her first senior contract with the NSW Breakers.

Australia will be eyeing a clean sweep in the third and final one-day international, to be played at the same venue on Wednesday from 9.30am local time (11.30pm AEST).

Fans in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea can stream the series live and free on cricket.com.au and the CA Live App, while fans elsewhere can watch on the West Indies Cricket YouTube channel.

CommBank Tour of the West Indies

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

West Indies ODI squad: Stafanie Taylor (c), Hayley Matthews (vc), Reniece Boyce, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Shamilia Connell, Stacy Ann King, Natasha McLean, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Karishma Ramharack, Shabika Gajnabi

One-Day Internationals*
*ICC Women's Championship matches

September 5: First ODI, Australia won by 178 runs

September 8: Second ODI, Australia won by 151 runs

September 11: Third ODI, Sir Viv Richards Ground, Antigua

Twenty20 Internationals

September 14: First T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

September 16: Second T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

September 18: Third T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados