Nilakshika silva
Image Source: IANS
Women’s T20 WC: Schutt, Molineux, Mooney Excel As Australia Open Title Defence With Win
T20 World Cup: Megan Schutt and Sophie Molineux stood out with tight spells, while Beth Mooney anchored the chase well as Australia opened their title defence in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.
Megan (3-12) and Sophie (2-20) were effective on a slow pitch and restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 93/7 in 20 overs. In reply, despite a wobble early on, Beth’s unbeaten 38-ball 43 saw Australia complete the chase with 5.4 overs remaining. She also had luck on her side when Vishmi Gunaratne dropped her catch on 22 in the ninth over.
In the first innings, Australia were on the money from the word go by stifling Sri Lanka’s run rate and picking wickets in the Power-play. Vishmi Gunaratne was trapped lbw by Megan for a ten-ball duck, followed by Ashleigh Gardner dismissing skipper Chamari Athapaththu in the same fashion for just three.
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