AUS-W vs SL-W | Megan Schutt's three-fer seals Aussies' dominant win over Lankans

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

10/05/2024

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Australia Women beat Sri Lanka Women by six wickets in the World T20 game at Sharjah. The Sri Lanka side was poor with the bat as they struggled initially and Megan Schutt’s three-fer wrapped Sri Lanka’s inning for 93 runs whereas Beth Mooney’s 43 off 38 sealed Aussie’s clinical win.

‌The defending champions led by Alyssa Healy kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on a dry afternoon in Sharjah. The pitch favoured bounce and movement, quickly evident as Sri Lanka stumbled to 6/2 after losing Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu. Despite a 10-ball over from Darcie Brown, Sri Lanka managed 23/2 at the end of the powerplay. Aussie bowlers maintained pressure, with Sophie Molineux removing Kavisha Dilhari in the seventh over. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva provided some stability, guiding Sri Lanka to 50/3 by the 11th over. However, Samarawickrama fell in the 13th over and the slow, cautious approach by Nilakshi and Hasini Perera drew frustration. Georgia Wareham finally lifted the mood, dismissing Perera in the 16th over with the score at 65/5. Sri Lanka's collapse continued as Megan Schutt's three wickets held them to a total of 93/7 in 20 overs.

In response, Australia was off to a shaky start as Healy was dismissed in the first over, courtesy of Udeshika Prabodhani’s brilliant delivery. The woe persisted when she struck again and scalped Beth Mooney. At the end of the powerplay, Australia's scorecard at 35/3 with Perry going back to the hut scoring 17 runs off 15 deliveries. With Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner at the crease, Australia was slowly paving the way for a victory. In the end of 10 overs, Australia tallied at 62/3 as they needed 32 runs off 60 deliveries. However, Ash Gardener departed in the 13th over which didn't affect much as they required 15 runs to win. Ultimately, Beth Mooney hit the winning runs as Australia won the game by six wickets.

Hahah!

Mujhe kya meri fav team to kal khelegi 🥲 #AUSvsSL pic.twitter.com/2uNuXIBT1z
— Riya. (@riya_perry) October 4, 2024

Good day!

#SophieMolineux delivered an outstanding spell, finishing with bowling figures of 2/20! 🔥#11Wizards #T20WorldCup #JaanoApniTeam #AUSvsSL

pic.twitter.com/cQGnDi9g6j
— 11Wizards (@11WizardsApp) October 5, 2024

That was dolly!

😱 It's not been Darcie Brown's day

❌ She drops Samarawickrama sliding in from cover pic.twitter.com/Lmxyz9WfXM
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 5, 2024

Good one!

Very easy catch has left more easy
— Saad PTi (@saadaftab670) October 5, 2024

Great spell!

🚨OUT!! Ashleigh Gardner takes out sirilankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu.#AUSvSL #SLvAUS #AUSvsSL #SLvsAUS #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup2024 #T20WomensWorldCup #ChamariAthapaththu #AshleighGardner https://t.co/0RSU64fRMo
— Innings Insight 🏏 (@InningsDeepDive) October 5, 2024