Defending champions Australia’s march in the Women’s T20 World Cup continued on Tuesday as it beat New Zealand in Sharjah. The win makes things interesting in the Group A points table with only the top two teams having a chance to enter the semi-finals. Currently, Australia lead the points table with two wins in as many matches. Pakistan are second while New Zealand are third. India are fourth and Sri Lanka are fifth. India have so far lost to New Zealand and won against Pakistan. India need to beat Sri Lanka on Wednesday by a massive margin to improve their run-rate. 

Then, their next aim will be to beat Australia in the last Group A match. Even if they lose, they must ensure to take the match close so that the run-rate stays above others. In case of a loss, India would hope for New Zealand and Pakistan to lose one more match too. In that case, the team with the better run-rate will enter the semi-finals. 

Australia’s batters provided their experienced bowling unit with sufficient runs to defend on a slow wicket and register a comprehensive 60-run win over New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup here on Tuesday. Opener Beth Mooney top-scored with a 32-ball 40 as Australia posted a challenging 148 for eight. Ellyse Perry chipped in with a 24-ball 30, after Alyssa Healy contributed 26 in 20 deliveries at the top of the order.

In reply, New Zealand were all out for 88 in 19.2 overs with Megan Schutt returning excellent figures of 3/3 in 3.2 overs. Annabel Sutherland (3/21) and Sophie Molineux (2/15) were the other major wicket-takers for Australia.

With this result, Australia grabbed the top spot in Group A with two wins from as many as matches.

Opting to bat, six-time winners Australia were off to a fine start with Healy and Beth Mooney adding 41 runs for the first wicket in just 5.2 overs.

Healy was adjudged out lbw after being hit on the pad by left-arm spinner Fran Jonas but after being persuaded by Mooney, the batter opted for a review, and it proved to be the right call, as the on-field umpire’s decision was overturned.

Healy responded with two fours and in the next over, she lofted Eden Carson over extra cover region for another boundary.

New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr, who picked up 4/26, also pulled off a brilliant running catch to send back Phoebe Litchfield (18 off 18).

Brief scores: Australia: 148/8 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 40; Amelia Kerr 4/26) New Zealand: 88 all out in 19.2 overs (Amelia Kerr 29; Megan Schutt 3/3, Annabel Sutherland 3/21).

With PTI inputs