Australia starts T20 World Cup campaign with crucial win despite early hiccup in run chase
Australia has secured a six-wicket victory in its T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka despite an early wobble in the run chase.
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Australia has secured a six-wicket victory in its T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka despite an early wobble during the run chase at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest 94-run target for victory in sapping conditions, the reigning champions got the job done in 14.2 overs despite losing three wickets during the Powerplay.
MATCH CENTRE: T20 World Cup, Australia vs Sri Lanka live score
Opener Beth Mooney anchored the innings with an unbeaten 43, steering Australia towards its eighth-consecutive victory over Sri Lanka in women’s T20Is. However, things could have been drastically different if Vishmi Gunaratne hadn’t dropped a regulation outfield catch in the ninth over, gifting Mooney an additional life on 22.
“We were decent without being perfect,” Australian captain Alyssa Healy admitted during the post-match presentation.
Having also lost Thursday’s match against Pakistan at the same venue, Sri Lanka has effectively been eliminated from the tournament, with the nation’s chances of progressing to the semi-finals now only a mathematical possibility.
“We definitely need to improve our batting,” said Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu.
“We have to play positive cricket and fearless cricket.
“I hope my girls will perform in Dubai.”
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Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first in sapping conditions, Sri Lanka crawled towards 7-93 as Australian seamer Megan Schutt starred with three wickets.
The Sri Lankans struggled to find the boundary rope on the slow deck, with spinners Ash Gardner (1-14) and Sophie Molineux (2-20) proving difficult to tame during the middle overs.
Earlier, Athapaththu and opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne, who recorded a ten-ball duck, got the innings off a to painfully slow start before falling victim to Gardner and Schutt respectively.
Nilakshi de Silva, who scored 29 not out, faced 40 deliveries without hitting a boundary, while Sri Lanka only managed four fours throughout the timid innings.
Schutt, later named player of the match, removed Anushka Sanjeewani and Sugandika Kumari in consecutive deliveries during the final over, finishing with 3-12 from four overs.
Meanwhile, it was a forgettable afternoon for Australian quick Darcie Brown, who produced three front-foot no-balls during her lone over before dropping a dolly at cover and missing a run-out chance.
“We probably could have been a little bit cleaner if we’re being honest,” Schutt confessed during the post-match presentation.
“A bit to work on.”
There were some nervous faces in the Australian dugout after the defending champions lost Healy in the opening over for 4, bowled by an absolute peach from left-armed seamer Udeshika Prabodani.
Kavisha Dilhari nailed a direct hit at the striker’s end to run out Georgia Wareham for 3 before superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry misjudged a delivery from spinner Sugandika Kumari, bowled for 17.
The Australians were in a spot of bother at 3-35 in the sixth over before Mooney and Ash Gardner combined for a 43-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put their team within touching distance of the target.
Mooney struggled in the 36-degree heat, with teammates running ice packs onto the field as she battled the elements throughout her gritty 38-ball knock.
“In the heat it was a little bit tough,” Schutt continued.
“I think Moons lost about 16 kilos out there. It’s a good challenge.
“It is what it is. You’ve got to suck it up and get on with it.”
Australia will next face trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Sharjah on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 1am AEDT.
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Originally published as Australia starts T20 World Cup campaign with crucial win despite early hiccup in run chase
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