Friday 7 November 2014 15:36, UK
England captain Charlotte Edwards admitted Australia were worthy winners of the Women's World Twenty20 title.
The Australians won a thrilling final by four runs, England unable to muster the 16 they needed to win off the last over, or the six they needed off the last ball.
The Aussies, the defending champions, scored 142-4, and they got off to a blistering start that left England always struggling to keep up with the run rate.
"Australia were better than us today," said Edwards, who was named Player of the Tournament. "We were under par with the ball, and paid for it. The first six (overs) of their innings was probably the difference between the two teams.
"Our lack of discipline up front has really cost us. They didn't seem nervous in the dressing room. But there probably were nerves there."
The prolific Edwards' own dismissal for 28, caught in the deep, was a key moment in the game.
"My role at the top of the order is just to keep hitting boundaries. I'm there to do that, and not too much running around.
"It's worked for the last 18 months. But part and parcel of that is sometimes getting out."
Player of the tournament Edwards is consoled, to a degree, by the fact England and Australia put on a fine example of women's cricket at its best.
"We're obviously bitterly disappointed we're not lifting the trophy, but it was a great spectacle for the women's game," she said. "I'm very proud of that."
Australia captain Jodie Fields inevitably wore the broader smile.
She said: "England played a really good match, but we had the belief in our team. It was just an all-round performance; we always had the belief."
