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Lanning ton leads Southern Stars to series win

16th November, 2014
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Captain Meg Lanning and star all-rounder Ellyse Perry have maintained their rich batting form as Australia romped to an eight-wicket over the West Indies to clinch the women’s one-day international series.

Lanning hit an unbeaten 135 – her highest one-day international score – scoring at better than a run a ball at Bradman Oval in Bowral, while the normal aggressive Perry was more circumspect with 64 not out.

The pair put on a massive unbroken 202-run partnership for the third wicket as Australia eased past their target of 221 in the 43rd over.

The duo have both enjoyed an outstanding series, with Lanning narrowly missing a ton with 95 in the opening match, while Perry has now cracked three successive half-centuries.

The win gave Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series, following on from their 4-0 cleansweep of the recent Twenty20 series.

“To restrict to them to 220 was good, particularly the fact that we had to haul them back after they made a good start, so a pretty good overall performance,” said Lanning.

“The squad of 13 we have is very capable no matter who comes into the side.

“A lot of different players have stood up at different times, rather than relying on one or two players which is a great thing.

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“I feel like I have worked my game out, and know my strengths and weaknesses but it is important I keep that going now.”

After losing the toss the Southern Stars found themselves on the back foot, with the West Indies putting on 97 for the opening wicket at five runs an over.

Teenager Hayley Matthews top-scored, hitting her third successive half-century before falling for 60.

Opening partner Kycia Knight was first to go having made 40, while star No.3 Stafanie Taylor had a rare failure, caught behind off the bowling off Perry as Australia fought back strongly.

Some late hitting from captain Melissa Aguilleira (30) and Shaquana Quintyne (33no) revived the innings after the visitors were 5-156 before eventually reaching 7-220 from their 50 overs.

Rene Farrell and Erin Osborne both picked up two wickets as high winds in the NSW Southern Highlands made bowling difficult.

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