Defending champions Australia and fellow cricket heavyweights England kicked off their Women’s T20 World Cup campaigns with victories on Saturday, overcoming the sweltering heat and humidity of Sharjah.
Australia Triumphs Over Sri Lanka
Australia began their title defense with a six-wicket win against Sri Lanka, restricting their opponents to 93-7. Megan Schutt, a standout performer, equaled the record for most wickets in Women’s T20 World Cup history, taking 3-12 to match former South African bowler Shabnim Ismail’s 43 wickets. Australia chased down the modest target with 34 balls to spare, despite losing four wickets along the way.
Opener Beth Mooney, who was named Player of the Tournament in the 2023 edition, anchored the Australian innings with an unbeaten 43. Facing extreme weather conditions, Mooney took regular breaks to stay hydrated and battle the heat.
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Schutt, who was named Player of the Match, acknowledged the challenging conditions: “It was tough in the heat. I think ‘Moons’ lost about 16 kilos out there. We’ve played in hot conditions before, so it’s something we just have to push through.”
Sri Lanka, now facing their second loss of the tournament, have yet to secure a victory against Australia in Women’s T20 matches. Their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, admitted the difficulties they faced on low-turning, slow tracks: “Our batters struggled, especially the top four. Hopefully, we can improve in our next game against India.”
England Overcomes Bangladesh in Spin-Dominated Contest
In the second match, England saw off Bangladesh with a 21-run win, defending their lowest total in T20 World Cup history. England posted 118-7, led by opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s 41 off 40 balls, which earned her the Player of the Match award.
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England’s strategy to play four spinners paid off as they restricted Bangladesh to 97-7. Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean each took two wickets, applying pressure on Bangladesh throughout the innings.
Bangladesh’s Sobhana Mostary put up a valiant fight, scoring 44 from 48 balls, but it wasn’t enough to guide her team to victory. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana expressed disappointment: “We missed an opportunity to beat a good side. Our bowlers did well, but the batting let us down.”
England captain Heather Knight praised her team’s resilience: “It was tough out there, but Danni and Maia Bouchier batted well in challenging conditions.”
Upcoming Matches and Rivalries
Sunday’s schedule promises a highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan, followed by a match between winless sides Scotland and West Indies. Both games will be played in Dubai, as the T20 World Cup heats up in the UAE.
