ELITE indoor cricketers Briony Polkinghorne, Laura Shaw and Nicole Martin have steered Australia to yet another world championship.
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The Ballarat based trio returned from the New Zealand-hosted Indoor Cricket World Cup on Sunday having successfully extended the senior women's unbeaten record for another three years.
Australia made a clean sweep at the titles, also winning the men's, under-20 boys and under-20 girls finals - all against the host nation.
Polkinghorne, Shaw and Martin were integral to Australia's 70-run (131-61) victory in the women's grand final.
"Each time it gets a bit more competitive, a bit more special," Polkinghorne said.
"The final was a bit unexpected because we had a tough semi against New Zealand, but we were a bit more disciplined in the end."
Polkinghorne won her first World Cup title in her maiden appearance for Australia at the 2011 edition, and described the chance to play alongside Shaw and Martin as "amazing".
"Like any team sport you become great friends to the point where it's almost like playing with family," she said.
"To win with any of those girls is pretty special.
"We had a huge Australian support group come over and it was pretty special to beat them on their home turf."
Martin coaches the Central Highlands girls under-18 team and made her international debut at the titles.
Shaw, who moved to Ballarat two years ago, was also contesting her first World Cup despite representing Australia in the junior ranks.
Polkinghorne has now pulled on the green and gold four times, and the 32-year-old says she plans to contest the next edition, should her body hold up.
All three play outdoor cricket for Melton in the Victorian Cricket Association women's premiers seconds competition.
The Australian men have won every title since the World Cup's inception in 1995, while the women's winning record dates back to 1998.
England, South Africa and Wales also contested the titles.