Australia’s remarkable run in this ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup continued as they notched a crucial win against the United Arab Emirates in their Group 1 match at the Super Six in Potchefstroom. Australia won the toss and decided to field first.
The UAE had a mediocre batting effort barring Theertha Satish who stood out with her exemplary strokeplay. Lavanya Keny was the earliest to fall as she was undone by Amy Smith for 5. Samaira Dharnidharka partnered with skipper Satish to build a formidable partnership and her dismissal for 17 was tricky for UAE as the momentum was on their side and the tide would quickly turn against them. Mahika Gaur’s quiet World Cup continued and was concerning as she was out for 3.
The 15th over saw consecutive dismissals of Satish for a well-played 58 and Sanchin Singh for a four-ball duck. The 18th over again saw Vaishnave Mahesh and Achara Supriya’s dismissals for a dismal 5 and 6 and with the last dismissal of Siya Gokhale for 1, the UAE finished on an unimpressive 107/8. Maggie Clark was the pick of the bowlers with her three-wicket haul and with Amy Smith and Lucy Hamilton scalping two wickets each, the equation was simple for Australia.
🚨FIFTY🚨
Kate Pelle scores a fantastic half-century for Australia coming off of 34 balls
🇦🇺 Australia: 66-0 (9.2)#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/3ycLh1kmz8
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 23, 2023
Australia did not have their characteristic dominant run chase as a couple of dismissals marred their pursuit of the total. Sianna Ginger was the first victim that fell to Lavanya Kenny for 14 and Kate Pelle batted with a lot of poise till she was dismissed for 51 off 36 and with Claire Moore also getting out for 16, Amy Smith’s dismissal for 10 did not make things easier although the target was well within reach. Ella Hayward’s 14 off 11 and Lucy Hamilton’s 2 off 1 ensured a win for Australia. Keny’s two wickets besides an inspired bowling effort by Dharnidharka and Mahesh were major talking points.
🇦🇺 Australia U19 won by 6 wickets
🇦🇪 UAE U19: 107-8 (20)
Theertha Satish: 58 (48)
Samaira Dharnidharka: 17 (26)
Maggie Clark 3- 20🇦🇺 Australia U19: 109-4 (15.1)
Kate Pelle: 51 (36)
Claire Moore: 16 (15)
Lavanya Keny 2-23#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5W520zW9XG— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 23, 2023
Brief Scores: UAE- 107/8 in 20 overs (T Satish 58, S Dharnidharka 17; M Clarke 3/20, A Smith 2/16, L Hamilton 2/10) lost to AUS- 109/4 in 15.1 overs (K Pelle 51, C Moore 16; L Keny 2/23, V Mahesh 1/22) by six wickets and 29 balls to spare
I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.