Australia retains unbeaten record

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 4

Australia retains unbeaten record

PA Wellington Australia’s guaranteed place in the grand final of the women’s World Cup cricket series does not mean it will be taking things easy in the last four games. Sharon Tredrea, who has led the Australians to eight straight wins in the series so far, said after yesterday’s 69-run win over New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington: “It would be a great feat to go through unbeaten.” Australia was unbeaten in the last World Cup in India four years ago, and in the inaugural series in England in 1973 lost only the final against England. New Zealand’s fielding and bowling was much improved over . the previous day’s perfomance against England, with Peters starting with eight consecutive maidens before going to lunch with two for 4 off nine overs.

At the crease. New Zealand always found the going tough and were only 10 for one after eight overs.

The scoring rate was never substantially increased as Australia's bowling and fielding dominated, particularly the bowling of the left-armer, Lynette Fullston, who finished with five for 27 off 12 overs, including the wickets of Debbie Hockley, Brown and Peters, all stumped in an excellent display by the wicket-keeper, Terri Russell. New Zealand reached 50 in 33 overs and 100 in 56, the latter only made possible by a last digin by Edna Ryan and Linda Fraser who came together at 87 for nine before Fraser was caught to close the innings at 101. Raelene Thompson also opened with eight maidens but finished none for 4 off 11 overs. India recorded its third win of the series, when it beat the International XI by 78 runs at the Hutt Recreation Ground. The series now moves on to Dunedin (for three games) and Nelson (for one) before the final week starts in Christchurch on Tuesday. _____