February 10, 2013
Kingaroy cricketer Holly Ferling was the star player in Australia’s thrilling two-run victory over traditional rivals England in their ICC World Cup Super 6 match in Mumbai on Friday.
Holly took an impressive 3/35 off her 10 overs and also managed four vital runs.
England won the toss and sent Australia in to bat.
The Southern Stars were bowled out cheaply for just 147, which set the Aussie bowlers a tough target to defend. But they were up to the task, slicing through England’s top order.
Holly had been called on at the last minute to fill in for her idol, Australian dual international Elysse Perry who was forced onto the sidelines because of a stomach bug.
Playing in only her second ODI for Australia, she claimed the wickets of Danielle Wyatt, Lydia Greenway and Jenny Gunn.
The Greenway wicket was vital as she had been spearheading an England revival at the time, steadying their innings and giving them a whiff of victory when she fell to Ferling.
Score in Brief
Australia 147 all out, 44.4 overs (Sthalekar 41, Coyte 44; Shrubsole 3/24, Colvin 2/19)
England 145 all out, 47.3 overs (Greenway 49; Ferling 3/35, Hunter 2/15, Schutt 2/37)
Australia won by two runs
“We still can’t believe she’s on TV,” Holly Ferling’s proud father Mark told southburnett.com.au today.
“It’s unreal.”
Her parents were watching the match on TV at home on Friday night but then went down to the Kingaroy RSL to join some of her former Kingaroy A grade team-mates to watch the match together.
Holly caught up with her parents via Skype afterwards.
And, not surprisingly, he said, she was very excited.
The Australian team has two more games to play (against Sri Lanka today) and then the West Indies before the finals begin.
So far they are undefeated in the tournament.
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The international and Australian media have fallen in love with Holly:
- Ferling Lifts Southern Stars’ Pace
- Ferling Overcomes Her Nerves
- Playing Alongside Perry Is Incredible, Says Ferling
- Ferling Extends Aussie Domination
- Ferling Gives Aussie Women Strike Weapon
- Just 17, Aussie Holly Leaves Her Mark
- Holly Ferling Admits Getting Nervous Ahead Of Australia’s Clash Against England
Although we’re not sure what to make of Mark Butcher’s comment (BBC Radio 5):
“With her long wavy hair, Holly Ferling reminds me a bit of Daryl Hannah in the film ‘Splash’ – an 80s classic. Though obviously she’s not a mermaid. She has legs, and pads.”
Holly’s even got her own Facebook fan page
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UPDATE: Australia has extended its unbeaten run in the World Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket victory in its Super Six match against Sri Lanka today. Holly Ferling took 1/23. The win has booked the Southern Stars a spot in the final.
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