Australia launch title defence with Sri Lanka success

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP):

AUSTRALIA BEGAN their title defence at the Women’s T20 World Cup with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka yesterday.

Medium pacer Megan Schutt picked 3-12 in four overs, while left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux took 2-20, as Sri Lanka were restricted to 93-7 in 20 overs.

In reply, Beth Mooney led Australia’s charge as they overhauled the total in only 14.2 overs. It was down to 35-3 at one stage, but Mooney scored 43 not out off 38 balls to lead her side to victory.

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka suffered crucial early blows. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was out lbw to Ashleigh Gardner for just three.

Schutt and Molineux then combined to hit the top order hard, as Sri Lanka stumbled to 25-3 in 6.4 overs.

Nilakshi de Silva scored 29 not out off 40 balls, while Harshitha Madavi scored 23. Their 31-run partnership for the fourth wicket saved the Asian champions some embarrassment.

Molineux broke that partnership in the 13th over, as Sri Lanka fell to 89-7 within another 6.2 overs. Their innings struggled on either side of that partnership, thus finishing with a below-par total.

In reply, Australia’s top-order struggled as well. Skipper Alyssa Healy was dismissed for four while Georgia Wareham was run out for three.

When Sugandika Kumari bowled Ellyse Perry for 17 in the sixth over, there was some trouble.

But Mooney dug in and found support from Gardner, who scored 12. Together, they added 43 off only 40 balls as Australia sped up their chase in the second half.

Sri Lanka have now lost their first two Group A matches and are nearly out of contention from advancing to the semi-finals.