Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Australia start with a dominating win against Sri Lanka

Six-time champions, including winning the last three editions, Australia Women started their campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a comfortable six-wicket win against Sri Lanka Women. 

Sri Lanka Women chose to bat first after winning the toss at Sharjah. However, the disciplined Australian bowlers restricted their opponents to 93/7 in 20 overs. Later, the Aussies successfully chased the target in 14.2 overs after losing four wickets. 

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Openers lost wickets early

Sri Lanka had another poor start as they lost both the openers cheaply. While Vishmi Gunaratne scored a ten-ball duck before Megan Schutt dismissed her, captain Chamari Athapaththu scored six runs before Ashleigh Gardner trapped her for lbw. Sri Lanka Women scored 23/2 at the end of the powerplay. In the powerplay, Sri Lanka hit only one boundary.

Samarawickrama and Silva had a useful partnership

After Kavisha Dilhari (5) lost her wicket just after the powerplay, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva had a useful partnership. However, both couldn’t capitalise properly on their slow starts. They had a 31-run fourth-wicket partnership before Sophie Molineux caught and bowled Samarawickrama for 23 runs.

Aussie bowlers controlled the innings, Silva disappointed

Australian bowlers completely controlled the first innings, while Nilakshika Silva remained not out on 29 runs off 40 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani was the only other double-digit run scorer in that innings, as she scored 16 off 15 balls. Sri Lanka only hit four fours in the innings. 

Among the Australian bowlers, Megan Schutt (3/12) took three wickets and Sophie Molineux (2/20) picked up two wickets. 

Sri Lankan bowlers surprised during the powerplay

Six-time champions Australia had a shaky start in the powerplay as they scored 35/3 in six overs. After Udeshika Prabodhani bowled captain Alyssa Healy for just four runs in the first over, Georgia Wareham was run out in the third over for only three runs. 

Sugandika Kumari then dismissed Ellyse Perry for 17 runs during the sixth over. 

Mooney controlled the post-powerplay

Australian opener Beth Mooney comfortably controlled the post-powerplay situation. She had a 43-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ashleigh Gardner (12) and comfortably ended the chasing with Phoebe Litchfield (9 not out). Mooney scored 43 not out off 38 balls, as Australia chased the target with 34 balls remaining.