England women crash to World Cup defeat against Australia

England seemed to be in pole position after skittling their opponents for 147, Anya Shrubsole doing much of the damage with three for 24 in a low-scoring encounter at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

But they crumbled to 39 for six in reply before a battling 49 from Lydia Greenway helped get them back on track and late fireworks from Holly Colvin and Shrubsole set up an exciting finish.

Colvin's dismissal eventually handed the honours to Australia and Edwards admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow.

"It was an important toss and I think we exploited the conditions well, and Anya bowled brilliantly up front," she said.

"The reason we've lost this game is because of poor shots and a couple of bad decisions which have really cost us.

"We're disappointed now but with this competition you've got to forget about it and move on to the next game, and hopefully we can win the last two."

Australia had Lisa Sthalekar (41) and Sarah Coyte (44) to thank for steadying the ship with a sixth-wicket partnership of 82 after Shrubsole reduced Australia to 32 for five.

England's reply looked precarious after Megan Schutt (two for 37) got Edwards for eight with a debatable lbw and Sarah Taylor edged Schutt to slip for a first-ball duck.

Danielle Wyatt contributed 16 before nicking Holly Ferling (three for 35) to the wicket-keeper. And Julie Hunter nipped out Arran Brindle and Heather Knight before Ferling ripped out Jenny Gunn's middle stump.

Greenway and Laura Marsh (22) took England to 96 before Marsh fell lbw for 22. Greenway was on the brink of a half-century when she threw away her wicket by driving Ferling to short cover.

When Katherine Brunt quickly followed, the writing looked on the wall for England but Australia had not reckoned on a defiant last-wicket stand between Colvin and Shrubsole.

Colvin's impact was immediate with three fours off the first four balls she faced, while Shrubsole added two more boundaries.

England got within touching distance of the winning total before luck went Australia's way when Colvin succumbed on 16, edging Erin Osborne behind.