Australia Women Edge India in Thrilling Encounter to Extend Unbeaten Streak in T20 World Cup
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| Australia Women extend their unbeaten streak in ICC Women's T20 World Cup to 15 matches. / Getty |
Australia Women continued their dominance in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, edging out India Women by nine runs in a tense match to extend their unbeaten streak to 15 games.
The defending champions held their nerve in the final overs to secure a semi-final berth, while India’s fate now hangs in the balance, awaiting tomorrow’s result to determine their place in the semi-finals.
Australia’s Strong Start Despite Early Setbacks
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia Women faced early pressure from India’s bowlers. Renuka Singh Thakur struck twice in the powerplay, dismissing Beth Mooney (2) and Georgia Wareham (0) in consecutive deliveries, reducing Australia to 10/2. However, Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership.
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| Getty |
Harris played a brilliant knock of 40 from 28 balls, while McGrath contributed 32 off 29. Their efforts put Australia back on track before India fought back with quick wickets, including both set batters. Ellyse Perry (32 off 23) kept the scoreboard ticking, and a late cameo from Phoebe Litchfield (15 off 9), which included a last-ball six, helped Australia reach 151/8 in their 20 overs.
Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma were the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking two wickets each and keeping the pressure on Australia’s middle and lower order.
India’s Chase Falls Just Short
Chasing 152, India’s opener Shafali Verma came out firing, racing to 20 off just 12 balls before being dismissed in the fourth over. Smriti Mandhana struggled for fluency and was trapped lbw for six. Jemimah Rodrigues looked promising but fell for 16, leaving India at 49/3.
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| Harmanpreet Kaur's efforts fall short as India Women lose by nine runs in a tense finish. / Getty |
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then took charge, building a crucial partnership with Deepti Sharma to keep India in the hunt. The pair added 63 runs before Deepti was run out for 29 in the 16th over, followed by Richa Ghosh’s unfortunate dismissal due to a direct hit from Phoebe Litchfield.
Harmanpreet remained composed, scoring an unbeaten 54, but the pressure mounted as Pooja Vastrakar and the lower order struggled to find boundaries. With 14 runs needed off the final over, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland bowled a brilliant over, conceding just four runs and picking up four wickets as India crumbled under pressure, finishing on 142/9.
Sutherland and Sophie Molineux took two wickets each, with Sutherland’s final over sealing a thrilling win for the Southern Stars.
Australia into Semi-Finals, India’s Fate Uncertain
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| Australia Women first team to qualify for the semi-finals of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. / Getty |
With this victory, Australia Women became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, solidifying their position as the team to beat. For India, the loss leaves their qualification hopes in limbo, as they await the outcome of other matches to determine their fate.
Score Summary:
Australia Women – 151/8 (Grace Harris 40, Tahlia McGrath 32; Renuka Singh Thakur 2/26, Deepti Sharma 2/28)
India Women – 142/9 (Harmanpreet Kaur 54*, Shafali Verma 20; Annabel Sutherland 2/23, Sophie Molineux 2/24)
Australia Women won by 9 runs.