ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, England vs Australia: 5 Talking Points

#3 Alex Hartley's spell makes the difference

Hartley was on top of her game

Australia got off to a cautious start as they jogged to a score of 55/0 in 15 overs as both the openers, Beth Mooney and Nicole Bolton, looked determined to play long innings.

However, left-arm spinner Alex Hartley had other ideas as she sent a well-settled Mooney (31) back to the pavilion. Australia were thus reduced to 56/1 in the 16th over as Ellyse Perry joined hands with Bolton in the middle. And even after losing a second soon, Australia were cruising with Perry and skipper Meg Lanning taking Australia’s score to a 127/2.

However, it was Hartley again who deceived a well settled Lanning (40) in the air to clean her up. That was the big wicket England needed as Lanning was scoring pretty quickly at a run-a-ball. The momentum of the game completely changed there and Hartley also ended up with a spell of 10-31-2.