Australia defeated England by a score of 33 runs to begin their T20 World Cup campaign. Still, with less than a week until the actual competition begins, two middle-order stars are sidelined due to injuries.
After being brought in by England captain Heather Knight at the ICC Academy in Dubai, Australia recorded a 6-162 score, with the key contributors being Beth Mooney (50 from 30) and Tahlia McGrath (31 from 22).
Then, with the ball, McGrath took full most of a rare opportunity, bagging 3-18 from three overs as England was bowled out for 129 in 19.4 overs.
After the game, McGrath remarked, “It’s a perfect way to start our campaign in that respect. They’re a perfect opponent in England.”
Phoebe Litchfield and Grace Harris were absent from Australia’s squad for the opening match of the competition against Sri Lanka on October 5. They were also ruled out of Tuesday’s second warm-up match against the West Indies.
Although Harris is recovering from a little strain to her right calf, she has resumed training and will face throwdowns in the nets during Sunday’s match. Harris also missed all three Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand.
Litchfield felt pain in his groin after training on Saturday.
The two will be evaluated over the next few days, and information regarding their availability for the first game will be provided. However, there were a lot of encouraging signals from their colleagues.
Mooney was the best batsman, smashing seven boundaries in her 29-ball half-century and savoring the spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn bowled against.
While this was happening, McGrath dismissed three single-digit scores against New Zealand by hitting four fours and using the opportunity to practice the ramp shot she wanted to add to her repertoire.
Georgia Wareham ended the innings with a 15-ball 18 after being sent out at No. 7 in the absence of Harris and Litchfield.
With the ball, Charlie Dean stood out for England with a score of 1-16 from four overs.
“It was enjoyable to try a few things I’ve been working on and spend a little time in the middle today… I was thrilled to finally get a ramp in my game today because I’ve been attempting to add one for a long time.”
After that, Australia decided not to bowl Megan Schutt or Tayla Vlaeminck in favor of giving overs to bowlers who had fewer opportunities against New Zealand. Instead, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland bowled 3.4 overs apiece.
In her knee injury return, Kim Garth (0-26 from three overs) took the new ball with Darcie Brown (1-18 from three). To know more about cricket highlights betpro log in.
After missing out on two T20I wickets in January, McGrath took out Natalie Sciver-Brunt (12 off 21) and added two more late wickets in her 3-18.
Continuing to show off, Sophie Molineux (2-27 from 4) bowled Danni Wyatt-Hodge in the opening before halting the first drop. As Alice Capsey (40 from 34) began to appear dangerous, Georgia Wareham (1-12 from 3) put a lot of pressure in the middle overs and took the crucial wicket of Knight for five runs.
After hitting two massive sixes off Gardner in the 19th over, Freya Kemp (19 off 14) made a late comeback to cut the gap for England. With the ball, Charlie Dean stood out for England with a score of 1-16 from four overs.
“Trying out a couple of things I’ve been working on and spending some time in the middle of things today was pleasant… After trying to create a ramp for a while, I was overjoyed to have one in my game today.”
what works over here and what doesn’t, and get some overs into a few that haven’t had a lot of overs leading into this as well,” McGrath stated.
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Tuesday’s matches will see England take on New Zealand and Australia play their second and final warm-up match against the West Indies.
