Anya Shrubsole was left stranded at the crease as England just failed to pull off a remarkable victory over Australia in the Super Sixes stage of the ICC Women's World Cup this morning.
The Bath pace bowler had taken 3-24 and held three catches - one of them off her own bowling - to restrict the Aussies to 147 all out in the 50-over match but England struggled to 39-6 and 114-9 in reply.
However, Shrubsole belied her position batting at number 11 as she struck two fours on the way to 13 not out, taking England to within three runs of victory, only for Holly Colvin to be caught behind with less than three overs remaining after a 31-run partnership.
The defeat leaves England needing to win their final two matches against South Africa on Sunday (3.30am GMT) and New Zealand on Wednesday (9am) to give them a realistic chance of a top-two spot and a place in the final.
England captain Charlotte Edwards said: "It's disappointing to get so close and not get over the line, but that's cricket and we've got to come back strongly.
"It was an important toss to win, Katherine (Brunt) and Anya bowled well up front, but poor shots and a couple of bad decisions have cost us.
"Laura Marsh's dismissal (which took the score to 96-7) was crucial. We still believed we could win as we have strength in depth in the batting - Anya bats number four for her county.
"It wasn't to be today, but congratulations to Australia for getting over the line."
The Bath pace bowler had taken 3-24 and held three catches - one of them off her own bowling - to restrict the Aussies to 147 all out in the 50-over match but England struggled to 39-6 and 114-9 in reply.
However, Shrubsole belied her position batting at number 11 as she struck two fours on the way to 13 not out, taking England to within three runs of victory, only for Holly Colvin to be caught behind with less than three overs remaining after a 31-run partnership.
The defeat leaves England needing to win their final two matches against South Africa on Sunday (3.30am GMT) and New Zealand on Wednesday (9am) to give them a realistic chance of a top-two spot and a place in the final.
England captain Charlotte Edwards said: "It's disappointing to get so close and not get over the line, but that's cricket and we've got to come back strongly.
"It was an important toss to win, Katherine (Brunt) and Anya bowled well up front, but poor shots and a couple of bad decisions have cost us.
"Laura Marsh's dismissal (which took the score to 96-7) was crucial. We still believed we could win as we have strength in depth in the batting - Anya bats number four for her county.
"It wasn't to be today, but congratulations to Australia for getting over the line."
