In a nail-biting contest on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Australia held their nerve to safe a slender 9-run victory over India in Match 18 of the ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup 2024. Each groups fought exhausting, however Australia got here out on high in a sport that went right down to the wire. Sophie Molineux was named Participant of the Match for her sensible bowling efficiency, taking two essential wickets to halt India’s chase.
Australia units a aggressive goal with key contributions from Grace Harris and Ellyse Perry
Australia gained the toss and opted to bat first on a sluggish floor. Whereas their innings started shakily, with opener Beth Mooney falling early for simply 2 runs, Grace Harris held the fort, scoring 40 off 41 balls, anchoring the innings. She acquired sturdy help from Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath, each of whom added 32 runs every. Perry’s quick-fire knock got here off simply 23 balls, together with two fours and a six, serving to Australia put up a aggressive 151/8 of their 20 overs.
India’s bowlers, particularly Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma, stood out with disciplined performances. Thakur claimed 2 wickets for twenty-four runs, whereas Deepti additionally picked up two scalps, conceding 28 runs. Shreyanka Patil, Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav chipped in with a wicket apiece, retaining Australia from accelerating an excessive amount of within the dying overs.
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India’s chase falters regardless of Harmanpreet Kaur’s combating half-century
Chasing 152, India Ladies obtained off to a promising begin however quickly discovered themselves in bother as they misplaced each openers early. Shafali Verma scored a fast 20 off 13, together with two fours and a six, however her dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, as Smriti Mandhana (6) and Jemimah Rodrigues (16) fell cheaply. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur performed a captain’s knock, hitting unbeaten 54 off 47 balls with six boundaries to maintain India within the hunt. She shared a significant partnership with Deepti Sharma, who contributed 29 runs from 25 deliveries.
Nevertheless, Australia’s bowlers struck again at common intervals. Sophie Molineux was instrumental in breaking partnerships, ending with figures of two for 32 in her 4 overs. Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland additionally took vital wickets to halt India’s progress. Sutherland, specifically, was economical, freely giving simply 22 runs in her 4 overs whereas choosing up two wickets.
Regardless of Harmanpreet’s efforts, India faltered within the dying overs, dropping wickets in fast succession. Not one of the lower-order batters may present the final touch, and India ultimately fell brief, managing 142/9 of their 20 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 54 in India’s 9-run defeat towards Australia#womencricket #INDvAUS #T20I #HarmanpreetKaur #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/1jKKJlJfu2
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Additionally READ: Ladies’s T20 World Cup 2024 – Broadcast, Dwell Streaming particulars | The place to look at in India, Australia, USA, UK, Pakistan, Canada & different international locations
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Instances firm.
