da doce： The English women’s team got their tour of Australia and New Zealand off to ashaky start today with a five-wicket loss to Australian National Leaguechampions New South Wales at Old King’s Oval, Parramatta, in western Sydney
Rick Eyre26-Jan-2000The English women’s team got their tour of Australia and New Zealand off to ashaky start today with a five-wicket loss to Australian National Leaguechampions New South Wales at Old King’s Oval, Parramatta, in western Sydney.England, who were at one stage reeling at 8/61 in the fifty-over-a-sidematch, made 104 in 49.5 overs. The NSWIS (New South Wales Institute ofSport) Blues, containing four current and two ex-Australian representatives, scored the required 105 runs for the loss of five wickets with15.3 overs to spare.All six of the NSW bowlers were among the wickets after Julie Hayes won thetoss and sent England into bat, Belinda Clark playing but stepping down fromcaptaincy duties for the day. Charlotte Edwards (16) provided someresistance against a well-drilled NSW bowling attack, until last pair LauraNewton (25*) and Lucy Pearson (13) added 27 for the tenth wicket. NSW pacebowler Bronwyn Calver took 2/13 from her ten overs, including the wicket of Clare Taylor through an exceptional diving one-handed catch from Julie Hayes. Therese McGregor claimed 1/4from five, while off-spinner Lisa Sthalekar (1/28) was somehow permitted tobowl an eleventh over – though that extra over, which went for seven runs,was one of the most costly of the England innings.A 72-run opening stand between Australian internationals Lisa Keightley (39)and Michelle Goszko (34) put the match beyond any shadow of a doubt,although nineteen year-old left-arm spinner Dawn Holden (4/31 from tenovers) had an impressive debut appearance in an England senior team.England play a New South Wales team of second-eleven strength tomorrow at BankstownOval, Sydney, before the first of four one-day internationalsagainst Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.