MELBOURNE: Taking the final wicket to seal ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory for Australia is a moment Megan Schutt is going to savour for a lifetime.
Schutt took four for 18, including the final scalp of Poonam Yadav, as Australia stormed to an 85-run victory over India to seal their fifth Women’s T20 World Cup title and first on home soil in front of a packed-out MCG.
The pace bowler finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker despite not taking any in the opener against India and said she couldn’t think of any better way than finishing her run than by getting the upper hand over her closest rival.
“It was absolutely insane,” said Schutt.
“It’s the stuff you dream about but don’t think is actually going to happen.
“I didn’t think we’d won until the last five overs because you just never know with cricket.
“But once we were able to seal some late wickets, it put the nail in the coffin and I can’t think of being in any better position than bowling at that time.
“The batters did so well to put 180 on the board and I just felt like I had the freedom to bowl the way I could.
“Trying to lead the pace bowling attack is hard when you’re not the fastest bowler in the team, but I don’t really mind the extra pressure on me. I was nervous but more excited than anything to be there.”
Schutt’s job was made somewhat easier by Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney’s 115-run opening partnership which set the Australians well on their way to victory in Melbourne as they posted a record 184 for four.
And while Schutt knew the pressure was on her to finish the job, she wanted to soak up every moment of the once-in-a-lifetime occasion at the MCG as the 86,174 fans in attendance broke the record for a women’s cricket match.
“I was soaking it up the whole time I was out there,” added Schutt.
“We spoke before the game about trying to enjoy every moment and I genuinely tried to do that.
“I was a bit distracted a few times, counting the Mexican wave and I was blown away when all the light on the phones came on.
“I think I did that very well because I was one happy girl out there.” IANS
