Australia beats England by 4 runs to win World Twenty20 women’s title

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Australia won the World Twenty20 women’s title for the second straight time on Sunday, beating England by four runs in the final.

Australia scored 142-4 and restricted England to 138-9 at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Jess Cameron top scored with 45 off 34 deliveries for Australia. She hit one six and five boundaries after England captain Charlotte Edwards made Australia bat first.

Off spin bowler Holly Colvin got 2-21 for England.

England started well but lost three middle order wickets for 25 runs. Edwards top scored for England with 28 from 23 deliveries including a six and four boundaries. They needed 16 runs off the final over but fell four runs short.

Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen picked up three for 25, her career-best bowling figures, surpassing 2-28 recorded against New Zealand earlier this year.

Offspinner Lisa Sthalekar and seamer Julie Hunter also picked up two wickets each.

Cameron was named player of the match and Edwards was given the player of the tournament award.