JESSICA Cameron is quickly becoming the premier big-game player in international women’s cricket.
The Werribee 23 year old was player of the match in Australia’s win over the West Indies in the final of the women’s World Cup in India on Sunday.
It is the second time in six months she has played a huge role in getting the Southern Stars across the line in a major tournament.
Last September, Cameron made 45 off 34 balls to steer the Stars to the women’s world Twenty20 title, with victory over England in the final in Sri Lanka.
She was back on her happy sub-continent hunting ground, wielding the willow in the final of the 50-over format and blitzing the bowlers with 75 off 76 balls.
While Cameron racks up the runs, she does it in the most entertaining fashion.
She uses her 360-degree shot making to advantage, knowing that if she is dismissed, the Stars batting order is strong enough to pick up the slack.
“We have plenty of batters in our side and I know if I went out at any time, someone else will take over,” Cameron said on the podium in the post-game celebrations.
“We’ve got a really strong batting line-up and it showed today.”
Australia posted a massive 7-259 off their 50 overs.
The Stars’ top order fired with Cameron combining in partnerships with Meg Lanning (31) and Rachael Haynes (52).
Cameron went on her merry way while the wickets fell around her before skying a loose ball into the grateful hands of Kyshona Knight at deep midwicket.
A late flurry of runs from captain Jodie Fields (38 not out) and Ellyse Perry (25 not out) got the Stars up to an imposing total.
“The pitch played really well today, which is always good for a batter,” Cameron said.
“It was a bit tough for the bowlers, but, you know, that’s just cricket sometimes.”
The Stars bowled the Windies out for 145.
Perry, who appeared to be struggling with an ankle injury, ran on adrenalin to pick up a crucial 3-19 off 10 overs. The retiring Lisa Sthaleker took 2-20 off 10 — and the catch that ended the match and won the cup — in her last international game.
Cameron finished with 225 runs for the tournament at an average of 37.5 and strike rate of 81.52.
It was Australia’s sixth World Cup title.
