England v Australia
Denis Compton Oval, Shenley: 24th – 26th June 2001
To Leeds and the Headingley ground for the second of the two Test series, where Belinda Clark won the toss and was ready to turn up the heat. She sent England in to bat.
“I think it was probably overcast and the wicket looked like it was going to be moist helpful at the start. I wanted to open the wounds again from the previous game and go at the batting line up.” – Clark
The same demolition crew from the first Test, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Charmaine Mason, Therese McGregor – but minus Olivia Magno – again destroyed the England batting. Sarah Collyer top scored with 37 as England were rolled for 144, Fitzpatrick again being the main destroyer with 5-31.
Embed from Getty ImagesClark once again fell cheaply, but Lisa Keightley played another steady hand as she combined with Karen Rolton, until the opener was runout for 40.
Double centurion Michelle Goszko went from the penthouse to the cellar, making a 7 ball duck. Rolton had scored a duck in the previous Test where Goszko had scored a double century and so it was here, the positions reversed, with Rolton dominating the bowlers, in complete control as she scored 209*. It was a blistering innings and the bowlers had no answers.
Embed from Getty Images“Karen was unstoppable in this innings. It just went from good, better to great throughout the innings. She was in full control of the 11 opposition players. They were mesmerized.”
Rolton’s onslaught enabled Clark to declare at 4/383, a massive lead of 239. A century to Claire Taylor didn’t really stop the rot, England all out 245 and Australia won by 9 wickets, taking the series 2-0. Fittingly Rolton scored the winning runs.
England 144 (Collyer 37, Fitzpatrick 5-31, McGregor 2-25) and 245 (Taylor 137, Fitzpatrick 4-81, Mason 4-66, McGregor 2-32) lost to Australia 4 dec 383 (Rolton 209, Broadfoot 71, Keightley 40) and 1/9 by 9 wickets
Embed from Getty Images