ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Beth Mooney leads Australia to victory with composed chase against Sri Lanka

Sharjah: Australia secured a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka of their first match of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a results of a sturdy bowling performance and a composed chase led by opener Beth Mooney.

Megan Schutt and Sophie Molineux were instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 93/7. Schutt’s impressive figures of three/12 and Molineux’s 2/20 kept the Sri Lankan batters less than constant pressure.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka faced early setbacks. Both openers were brushed off cheaply, and the run rate was stifled the total way through the powerplay. Megan Schutt struck first, trapping Vishmi Gunaratne lbw for a duck. Captain Chamari Athapaththu soon followed, falling lbw to Ashleigh Gardner for just three.

Sri Lanka’s innings struggled to achieve momentum, finishing the powerplay at 23/2. Kavisha Dilhari was the subsequent to move, brushed off lbw by Sophie Molineux. Harshitha Samarawickrama provided some resistance with a gritty 23 off 25 balls earlier than being caught and bowled by Molineux.

Nilakshika Silva (29* off forty) and Anushka Sanjeewani (sixteen off 15) managed to place some runs on the board, but Australia’s bowlers continued to take care of things tight. Georgia Wareham took a wicket with a full toss, caught brilliantly worldwide the deep, and Schutt returned to take two more wickets in quick succession. Sri Lanka ended their innings at 93/7.

In response, Australia’s chase was anchored by Beth Mooney, who remained unbeaten on 43 off 38 balls. Irrespective of losing Alyssa Healy (Four) and Georgia Wareham (three) early, Ellyse Perry’s quickfire 17 provided some momentum earlier than she was bowled by Sugandika Kumari, leaving Australia at 35/three.

Ashleigh Gardner contributed 12 off 15 balls earlier than departing, but Mooney’s steady innings ensured there were no further hiccups. Phoebe Litchfield chipped in with a run-a-ball 9, helping Mooney guide Australia to victory with 5.Four overs to spare.

The win leaves Sri Lanka in a precarious position in Group A, with zero points from two matches. They'll ought to win their remaining fixtures against India and New Zealand to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Sri Lanka’s next match is against India on Wednesday in Dubai, followed by their final group stage game against New Zealand on October 12.