Australia have won the Over 40s World Series Cup in Brisbane, defeating USA in the final today.
Such has been the Aussies’ batting strength in this tournament that today’s score of 200/7 was their lowest in the entire series. Steven Spoljaric top-scored with 57, while Greg Hunt continued his imperious form with yet another 50.
Hunt is now the highest run-scorer in all O40Is, with 650 runs at an average of exactly 50 (his score today, incidentally).
The attacking American batters couldn’t get away today against the quick and accurate Australians seamers and were rolled over for 139. Shaun Matthews ended with the best figures (3/25) as the hosts went through the competition unbeaten and virtually unchallenged to lift the trophy.
In the 3rd/4th playoff, New Zealand beat Canada by 6 wickets.
Canada scored a respectable 222/8 thanks mainly to Bhavneet Bhatia’s 72 and Royston Crandon’s 55. New Zealand Captain Peter Connell took 5/31.
The Kiwi openers put on 141 before Leighton Parsons was out for 61. Greg Johnson went on to score an unbeaten 105 – his third century in O40Is, which is a record for any batsman.