Australia Women strolled to a comfortable 52-run victory in Guyana as the pre-tournament favourites proved their credentials in their first match of the Women’s World T20.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Australia Women got off to a flying start as they raced to 58-0 during the powerplay. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney were on song for the first-wicket partnership as the two smashed the ball to all parts in their 78-run stand before they were both dismissed on 48 runs apiece – two runs short of their respective half-centuries.
Australia Women’s captain Meg Lanning (41 off 34 balls, three fours, one six) added the finishing touches to the innings with a second-best contribution to the Southern Stars’ 165-5 after 20 overs before she lost her wicket in the final over.
Aliya Riaz was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with an impressive 2-25 in her four overs to get rid of both Healy and Manning in an effort to get the sub-continental team back in the game.
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Her efforts proved fruitless though as Australia romped to an emphatic 52-run victory as the Pakistani batting order collapsed.
Bismah Maroof top-scored for Pakistan with a laboured 26 off 25 balls (two fours) but it was Megan Schutt (2-13 in four overs) and Georgia Wareham (4-0-18-3) – alongside excellent wicketkeeping from Healy (two catches and two stumpings) – that helped the Aussies restrict Pakistan to just 118-8 in their allotted overs.
Healy’s heroics earned her the Player of the Match award and she will hope to carry her form into the Aussies’ second match of the tournament on Sunday as they take on lowest-ranked Ireland Women at Providence.
Pakistan Women will next face off against an in-form India Women before that encounter on the same date and venue as they look to secure their first win of the tournament.
Photo: Ashley Allen/IDI/Getty Images
