(UTV|Cricket) – India and Australia were pushed hard but both showed their class when it mattered most to prevail in their second ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side made it two from two as Poonam Yadav (three for 18) continued her wicket-taking exploits in the 18-run win over Bangladesh at the WACA.
Australia, meanwhile, far from had things their own way but narrowly held on to beat an impressive Sri Lanka side by five wickets in Perth, largely thanks to Rachael Haynes’ half-century.
LEADERS DELIVER TO GET AUSTRALIA UP AND RUNNING
Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning led from the front to keep Australia’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hopes alive in Perth.
Defeat to Sri Lanka would have seen the hosts’ semi-final hopes pushed to the brink but vice-captain Haynes (60) and skipper Lanning (41 not out) ensured their fight goes on.
Udeshika Prabodani struck two early blows as Australia lost three wickets within four overs, with Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney all dismissed in their chase of 123.
Haynes and Lanning then put on 95 for the fourth wicket to take the hosts to the cusp of victory before Ellyse Perry struck the winning runs at the WACA.
Sri Lanka’s batting effort hinged around Chamari Atapattu, whose wonderful record against Australia continued with 50 from 38 balls.
But limited support saw their batting effort falter to 122 for six, Molly Strano and Nicola Carey doing the damage with two wickets apiece.
“I think today showed a little bit of our character, to be honest,” said Haynes. “World Cup tournaments aren’t easy. You have to keep winning, that’s the nature of the beast.
“It didn’t feel easy to bat out there but I was pretty fortunate that one of the best batters in the world Is standing at the other end.
“Meg and I have played a lot of cricket together and we knew it was just a matter of calming things down and getting a really good partnership together.
“I’m sure there were a couple of nerves today but to be able to get over the line right at the end there will hopefully create some momentum for the rest of the tournament.”
Atapattu added: “We performed very well. We were pumped up when we took three early wickets. Udeshika [Prabodani] is a top bowler in our team, but unfortunately we lost to the world champions in the last over.
“I played my natural game and I love that pressure. I always love playing the big teams under pressure.
“I still don’t think Australia have any big weaknesses but our performance shows if teams perform well against them, they can win.
“We have won a lot of hearts in this tournament and I’m really pleased with my girls.”
VERMA AND YADAV STAR FOR INDIA
Shafali Verma and Poonam Yadav shone on the opening-night victory against Australia and the pair were at it again in the 18-run victory over Bangladesh.
Verma’s lightning start saw India produce the biggest total and Powerplay of the tournament, her 17-ball 39 the leading performance while Veda Krishnamurthy struck late boundaries in their 142 for six.
Bangladesh fought in their tough chase in Perth with Nigar Sultana Joty (35) and Murshida Khatun (30) top-scoring with the bat.
But Yadav picked up where she left off in Sydney to finish with three for 18, with contributions from Shikha Pandey (two for 14) and Arundathi Reddy (two for 33) saw Bangladesh finish on 124 for eight.
“Winning two from two is great for us,” said Pandey. “We are not really thinking about what’s happened before. Whether we win or lose, we are taking the positives and thinking about the game ahead.
“We thought we had a good score to defend because we believe in our bowling department. We knew it would be a tough target for them to reach.
“Veda is one of the most experienced players in the team and the runs she can get in the last overs really make a difference to us. I’m pleased for her because it will be great for her confidence.”
Nigar Sultana added: “I don’t think we bowled well. Shafali Verma played absolutely brilliantly, we missed some chances in the field and didn’t bowl well enough in the last five overs.
“We haven’t played many matches against top eight teams, but we’re a cricketing nation. People are expecting us to win and we’re always going for the win too.
“I think Murshida [Khatun] will be one of the best players in our team. It is her first World Cup but she’s been with us for the last one-and-a-half years.”
l Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets @ WACA Ground, Perth
Sri Lanka 122-6 (20) (Chamari Atapattu 50; Nicola Carey 2-18, Molly Strano 2-23)
Australia 123-5 (19.3) (Rachael Haynes 60, Meg Lanning 41 n.o.; Udeshika Prabodani 2-17, Shashikala Siriwardena 2-20)
l India beat Bangladesh by 18 runs @ WACA Ground, Perth
India 142-6 (20) (Shafali Verma 39, Jemimah Rodrigues 34; Salma Khatun 2-25, Panna Ghosh 2-25)
Bangladesh 124-8 (20) (Nigar Sultana Joty 35, Poonam Yadav 3-18, Shikha Pandey 2-14) (DN)