Bangalore: Certainly the worlds most valuable player, Karen Rolton was at it again - engineering yet another victory for the Southern Stars (Australia). She and the irresistible Cathryn Fitzpatrick were the pillars on which Southern Stars registered their first victory of the World Series.After skipper Belinda Clark departed early it was up to Rolton to shoulder the responsibility, which she did with gay abandon. Her knock of 86 off 84 balls put her team well on its way to a substantial total. Her effort with the bat was so good that it sustained a middle order collapse - she was well supported by opener Lisa Sthalekar. Another of Australias sensations Fitzpatrick helped hold her team together. She first stitched a valuable 45-run unbroken partnership for the seventh wicket - contributing 15 valuable runs, she later dispatched Rebecca Rolls and the dangerous Emily Drumm to reduce the White Ferns (New Zealand) to 10 for two from which they never did recover. The galaxy of Southern Stars is studded with quite a few priceless gems but there is little doubt that the Clarke-Rolton-Fitzpatrick trio is a lethal formation in Southern Stars installation. The trio not withstanding, much can be expected of Michelle Gosko, Melanie Jones, Sthalekar and Julia Price. The future matches in the World Series are an opportunity for the smaller stars to shine forth. White Ferns meet England next on January 29.

Extras:
World Series game one: Rolton takes Australia to victory
Australia has an outstanding record in ODIs
Post your views