Australian women clinch series

LEEDS, JULY 9. Australia beat England by nine wickets to win the women's Ashes Test cricket series 2-0 at Headingley.

The women's win echoed the victory of the Australian men over England in the their Ashes opener at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Australia equalled the record for women's Test victories on Sunday, joining England with 16 wins. Australia's Karen Rolton also set a new record for the highest individual score in a Test with 209. Rolton also helped set a new fourth wicket test stand of 253 with Louise Broadfoot.

``We are just thrilled with our performance,'' said Australian captain Belinda Clark. ``We came here to win both Tests and we've done that inside three days.''

England's first innings was 144, which Australia passed easily to post 383 declared in its first innings. England fought hard all day on Sunday to make Australia bat again, boosted by a gritty 137 from Claire Taylor. When she was last out, bowled by Charmaine Mason who took 4-46, England had reached 245 all out.

Australia easily scored the seven runs needed for victory in its second innings. England had some consolation when opener Lisa Keightley was bowled by Clare Taylor for a duck.

-AP.

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