Australia vs Sri Lanka Live Score, T20 World Cup 2024: Australia Women won by 6 wickets

Defending champions Australia overcame a mighty scare to eventually beat Sri Lanka by six wickets after pacer Megan Schutt's probing spell set them up for a small winning target in their women's T20 World Cup campaign opener in Sharjah on Saturday.

Set a paltry target of 94, Australia were 35/3 at the end of power play, losing captain Alyssa Healy (4), Georgia Wareham (3) and Ellyse Perry (17) early in their run chase.

But, a 43-run partnership between Beth Mooney (43 not out) and Ashleigh Gardner (12) helped Australia go past the target with 34 balls to spare, as they made 94/4 in 14.2 overs.

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka struggled big time with Nilakshika Silva top-scoring with 29 not out as they huffed and puffed their way to 93 for 7.

Sri Lanka could hit just four boundaries in the whole innings.

Schutt (3/12) also equalled South Africa's Shabnim Ismail's record scalp of 43 wickets across all editions of T20 World Cup.

The Sri Lankans were 25/3 in the seventh over and 43/3 at the halfway stage, and they never recovered from there.

Interestingly, the Australians also bowled 13 extras, including five no-balls.

This was Sri Lanka's second loss of the tournament, having lost to Pakistan on Thursday.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka: 93 for 7 in 20 overs (Nilakshika Silva 29 not out; Megan Schutt 3/12).

Australia: 94 for 4 in 14.2 overs (Beth Mooney 43 not out; Sugandika Kumari 1/16).

15:09 (IST) Oct 05

PITCH REPORT - Natalie Germanos and Lisa Sthalekar are pitchside. Natalie starts by saying that it is pretty hot at 36 degrees Celsius but there is a good breeze blowing. Adds that the dimensions are lob-sided and it is pitch number 3 that is being used for this game. Lisa adds that the key factor in the previous two games was that the bowlers were bowling on a good length and slower too. However, this pitch doesn't have the same grass cover as the previous one and it should skid more than spin.

15:06 (IST) Oct 05

Australia Women skipper, Alyssa Healy says she doesn’t mind bowling first. Adds there’s calmness around the group and they feel they are well prepared and it’s just about adapting. Gives a little information about her team and confirms that Phoebe Litchfield is back from her injury.

15:05 (IST) Oct 05

Chamari Athapaththu, the captain of Sri Lanka Women says she’s very confident about her batting lineup and hence, wants to bat first. Mentions they have to execute their plans well and play some positive cricket. Informs that they have made one change with Inoka Ranaweera coming in for Sachini Nisansala.

15:04 (IST) Oct 05

Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI) - Vishmi Gunarathne, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Madhavi, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Inoka Ranaweera (In for Sachini Nisansala), Udeshika Prabodani.

15:04 (IST) Oct 05

Australia Women (Playing XI) - Alyssa Healy (C/WK), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.

15:02 (IST) Oct 05

TOSS - Sri Lanka Women have won the toss and they will BAT first.

14:43 (IST) Oct 05

Women's T20 World Cup Live Score: Their road to victory won’t be easy, with strong competition from teams like India, New Zealand, and England. Yet, with a squad packed with experience and emerging talent, Australia’s march toward history seems within reach.

14:43 (IST) Oct 05

Women's T20 World Cup Live Score: As they look to clinch their seventh overall title, the defending champions will rely on a well-balanced squad featuring some of the best players in the world. Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, and Megan Schutt are among the key performers who will be central to Australia's bid for glory.

14:42 (IST) Oct 05

Australia vs Sri Lanka Live Score: The absence of Lanning, one of the most successful captains in the sport, could have been a disruptive factor, but the team has shown remarkable resilience. Healy, an experienced campaigner herself, has been pivotal in maintaining Australia’s supremacy in women's cricket.

14:42 (IST) Oct 05

Australia vs Sri Lanka Live Score: Alyssa Healy has since taken over the reins, leading Australia into this World Cup. Under Healy’s leadership, the team has continued to dominate bilateral cricket, despite minor setbacks along the way. Australia’s form has been impressive, further solidifying their status as favourites to lift the trophy once again.

14:42 (IST) Oct 05

AUS vs SL Live Score: Australia are eyeing an unprecedented fourth consecutive ICC Women's T20 World Cup title, having claimed the trophy in 2018, 2020, and 2023. However, this year's campaign marks a significant shift for the team as they enter the tournament without long-time skipper Meg Lanning, who retired from international cricket late last year.

14:42 (IST) Oct 05

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup match between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sharjah.

TOI

Australia vs Sri Lanka Live Score, T20 World Cup 2024: Australia Women won by 6 wickets

Match Statistics

Venue

Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

SL-W PLAYING XI

AUS-W PLAYING XI

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