With the ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup just a few months away, teams are focused on fine-tuning their preparations. Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are currently competing in a T20 Tri-Series in Australia as part of their build-up to the tournament. The series began on September 19 with a clash between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane, where Australia secured a commanding 8-wicket victory, underscoring their readiness for the global event.
In the opening match, Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. Their bowlers, led by Eleanor Larosa, made an early impact, dismissing New Zealand’s openers, Tash Wakelin and Eve Wolland, for 3 and 10 runs, respectively. New Zealand found themselves struggling at 27 for 5, but a brief recovery was made possible by Izzy Sharp’s 33 off 25 balls and Elizabeth Buchanan’s 15. Despite their efforts, New Zealand could only reach 90 runs. Larosa, Amy Hunter, and Hasrat Gill shared the wickets, with each taking two.
Chasing a modest target of 91, Australia faced an early setback, losing both openers in quick succession. However, a steady 58-run partnership between captain Lucy Hamilton and Eleanor Larosa ensured a comfortable win. New Zealand’s bowling attack faltered, giving away 27 extras, including 21 wides and 5 no balls, allowing Australia to chase down the total with ease.
This Tri-Series is the second for Australia’s U19s this year, following their earlier participation in a similar series in Sri Lanka, featuring the hosts and England. It offers a vital opportunity for these teams to sharpen their skills and assess their combinations ahead of the World Cup, set for January 2025 in Malaysia.
Remaining T20 Schedule:
September 20: New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka
September 22: Australia vs. Sri Lanka
September 24: Australia vs. New Zealand
September 25: Australia vs. Sri Lanka
September 26: New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka
One-Day Series Schedule:
September 30: Australia vs. Sri Lanka
October 1: New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka
October 2: Australia vs. New Zealand
This Tri-Series not only provides match practice but also offers a platform for young players to impress as teams finalize their World Cup squads. The experience gained here will be crucial for all teams in their quest for global success.