‘How’s your heart rate’: Four wickets in last over seals Aussie win after injury crisis

Australia’s resilience was on full display as they shrugged off the losses of captain Alyssa Healy and pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck to take down India in Sharjah and progress unbeaten to the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals.

Chasing 152 to win, India’s ace Harmanpreet Kaur left too much to be done from Annabel Sutherland’s coolly delivered final over, which silenced a partisan Indian crowd.

Defending 14 from the final over, Sutherland gave up just three singles and a wide as four wickets went down, handing McGrath victory in her first game as captain.

Led by vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, the Australians prevailed through a combination of even contributions down the batting order and then a composed performance with the ball.

“She’s so composed, she knew her plan, she executed beautifully,” McGrath said of Sutherland. “I said to her after ‘how was your heart rate’ and she goes no I was fine I was chill as so I think that just shows the type of maturity that Belsey has.

“She’s been in those big moments and delivered for us time and time again even at the back end with some handy runs for us. She was huge for us today and yeah, very cool under pressure.”

Australia’s Tahlia McGrath plays a shot during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab EmiratesCredit: AP

India, favoured by many before the tournament, must now rely on Pakistan beating New Zealand to progress to the semis after losing two games out of four.

Grace Harris (41) stepped up at the top of the order in the absence of Healy, who has an ankle injury that will be further assessed ahead of the knockout games, although the sight of the captain on crutches did not suggest a quick recovery. The semi-finals are on Thursday and Friday nights, with Australia’s game time dependent on whether India qualify.

McGrath (32), Ellyse Perry (32), Phoebe Litchfield (15, nine balls) and Sutherland (10, six balls) all added usefully to the tally, which was pushed over the 150 mark by Litchfield’s bold six from the last ball of the innings - a shot that would prove increasingly valuable as the evening went on.

India looked to be controlling the chase on several occasions, not least when Shafali Verama found the middle of the bat early on.

Australia’s performances at the T20 Women’s World Cup

• Australia 4-94 defeated Sri Lanka 7-93
• Australia 8-148 defeated New Zealand 88
• Australia 1-83 defeated Pakistan 82
• Australia 8-151 defeated India 9-142,

But on each occasion they were challenged, the Australians found a way to conjure a wicket. Sophie Molineux was precise with her left-arm spin, while Litchfield was instrumental in two run-outs, including a direct hit to dismiss the dangerous Risha Ghosh.

“That was a tough night for us and a lot to process,” McGrath said of the Pakistan game where Vlaeminck and Healy were injured. “But in tournaments like this it’s move on, you’ve got a job to do.

“We’ve been really trying to get around each other as a group whether it be the injured girls, the girls playing slightly different roles and just really sticking together as a group and focusing on the job at hand, so I thought we did a really good job of that and came out and played yeah really well tonight so really proud of the group.

“We thought we had par [score] on that wicket and we knew India were going to come really hard at us as they did with the bat. So probably I think we won it with the ball.”

Vlaeminck has been replaced in the squad by Heather Graham, but Healy’s ankle is being worked on by team medical staff with hope that she may be available again before the tournament ends.

“Great question - we’ve got a couple of days now,” McGrath said of Healy’s status. “I’m going to leave that in the hands of our doctors to yeah get to work on her. I’ll be fingers crossed that they can, she can be available, but we’ll know more in the next couple of days and how that plays out.

“She’s been great. She’s such a passionate cricketer that she wanted to be involved in every single aspect, and she sent me a message straight away asking me what I needed. And how she could help.

“She was in our meeting today when we were working out match-ups and that and from all reports she was a very painful watcher who just wanted to be out there and wanted to be involved. So, yeah, she’s huge for this team and she’s well and truly part of it.”

Star quick ruled out of Cup quest

Australian fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck is out of the Twenty20 World Cup due to a dislocated shoulder as uncertainty remains around the ankle injury suffered by captain Alyssa Healy.

In the latest awful juncture of an injury-blighted career, Vlaeminck’s shoulder popped out while fielding against Pakistan before she had even had the chance to get to the bowling crease.

Tayla Vlaeminck is out of the rest of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign.Credit: Getty Images

The International Cricket Council confirmed Vlaeminck would be replaced by Heather Graham on Sunday, hours before the start of Australia’s final pool game against India.

But Healy’s status remains unknown, with more to be disclosed by the team closer to the India game, which is due to start at 1am Monday (AEDT).

Healy was described as having suffered an “acute ankle injury” during the Pakistan game.

If ruled out, she would be replaced as captain by deputy Tahlia McGrath, while Beth Mooney would take over as wicketkeeper.

Australian skipper Alyssa Healy leaves the field after retiring hurt during her innings.Credit: AP

“There’s certainly going to have to be changes, that’s pretty obvious, but I think as a whole unit it’s making sure that we stick together,” all-rounder Ash Gardner had said.

“They’re our mates at the end of the day, so making sure their well-being is put first, and then we have to switch pretty quickly into that India game, it’s certainly going to be a challenge.”

Vlaeminck’s latest injury, after previously having her potentially brilliant career interrupted by knee, foot and shoulder injuries, left her teammates particularly saddened as they all knew how much the 25-year-old had fought to get back to her best and fittest.

“It’s obviously horrible seeing one of your mates go down and knowing Tay’s road to get back to here. She’s someone that probably works harder than anyone else I know,” said Gardner.

“So we all really felt for her. There were people that were obviously emotional and I think that just shows the care that we have for our teammates and especially Tay.

“Unlucky things happen and then you just kind of got to get on with it and wait until after the game just to make sure that Tay was OK – and she’s in good spirits which is nice to see.”

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