Georgia Elwiss’ swift hundred could not give England Women’s Academy victory over Australia Women Shooting Stars at the International Cricket Council Academy in Dubai in the opening game between the teams.
Elwiss accelerated to 100 from 80 balls, striking 15 fours and two sixes, and was supported by 57 from Fran Wilson as England posted 252 all out in 45 of their 50 overs after winning the toss.
Although Natasha Farrant and Beth Langston bowled well up front for Tammy Beaumont’s side, Australia prevailed in a nip-and-tuck chase thanks to Katie Mack’s 80 and Nicola Carey’s 47 not out, winning by four wickets with seven deliveries to spare.
Elwiss told ecb.co.uk: “We ended up 30-50 runs short of what we could have got, which was a bit annoying and probably cost us towards the end, but they batted well in the middle and took the game away from us.
Bosh @Gelwiss !! 100 up!! Very proud! Well batted girl x
— Sarah Taylor (@Sarah_Taylor30) April 3, 2015
“I look to play quite conservatively early on. I went in when we’d lost a couple of quick wickets and I knew there was still a lot of time to bat. I guess you can benefit from playing straight early on and then hitting the bad ball.
“It was such a good bounce that if you hit it through the ring it was four.”
Today’s match, in which 14 players fielded for each side but just 11 batted, was delayed by a day due to a sand storm yesterday. The second of four 50-over games is tomorrow.