Australia maintained their strong start to the Women’s T20 World Cup as they thrashed Bangladesh by nine wickets on Wednesday.
After winning the toss and choosing to field first, Australia restricted Bangladesh to just 77-8 from a full 20 overs, with the underdogs failing to inject any momentum into their innings after falling to 27-5.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry claimed two wickets each, with Bangladesh’s only resistance coming in a 32-run sixth-wicket partnership between skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (27) and Ritu Moni (16).
Kim Garth was one of three Australia bowlers to claim two wickets
Australia then needed just 9.3 overs to reach their target as opener Georgia Voll (45 not out) and Perry (19 not out) eased them to victory after Beth Mooney was out for 10.
Australia, who beat South Africa by 65 runs in their opening match, return to the top of Group 1, but could be dislodged later on Wednesday when India take on the Netherlands in the second game of a double-header at Headingley.
Bangladesh are fourth, level on two points with South Africa.
India post dominant win over Netherlands
Shafali Verma answered doubts again about her T20 production and reliability with a milestone 55 runs in a big India win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
In their first T20 match-up, India posted their highest T20 World Cup total of 209-5 and limited the Dutch to 114 for a win by 95 runs, India’s biggest by runs in tournament history.
Verma came to the World Cup averaging 23.13 runs this year compared to 52.12 last year when she restored her big-hitting reputation.
She was then bowled for six against Pakistan but raised her first World Cup fifty against the Netherlands.
She happened to be dropped at cover at the same time as reaching 50 off 34 balls, and she was out for 55 including 10 boundaries.
“Happy to be back with some runs. I just practised hard to get my shots again,” Verma said. “When balls were not coming on I just went for singles, so it was a mature innings.”
Her opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana ended at 115 in the 12th over. Mandhana hit four boundaries in a row off Silver Siegers and made back-to-back World Cup fifties off 36 balls. She was out for 74 off 47 in the 16th.
Topping off Verma’s day, she became only the third player in a Women’s World Cup game to score a 50 and take three wickets after the West Indies’ Hayley Matthews and South Africa’s Sune Luus.
Verma’s off-spin took 3-20 and slow left-armer Shree Charani grabbed 4-19 – including three wickets in one over – as the Netherlands collapsed from 96-3 to 114 all out in 17.3 overs.
Dercksen, De Klerk earn South Africa nervy win over Pakistan
South Africa withstood a brilliant all-round performance from Pakistan’s Fatima Sana to open their account with a two-wicket win at Edgbaston.
Batting first, the Pakistan skipper came to the crease with her side 33-6 and was later joined by Tuba Hassan, the pair adding 71 for the ninth wicket to help the team to 126-9 from their 20 overs.
In reply, Annerie Dercksen (52) showed plenty of intent to ensure South Africa were always ahead of the required rate, even though Pakistan chipped away with regular wickets.
But Nadine de Klerk’s 37 brought the scores level and after Fatima dismissed her, a wide saw South Africa over the line.
Everyone can stream all 12 group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the semi-finals and final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup live for FREE on the Sky Sports App.
All you have to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports App onto your phone or tablet and log in.
Download the Sky Sports App on:
Watch every ball of the Women’s T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW through to the final at Lord’s on July 5.
