In the fifth match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Australia, the six-time champions, comfortably secured a win over the Asian champions, Sri Lanka, chasing down a modest target of 94 with 34 balls to spare.
Despite some hiccups with five no-balls and two wides contributing to a total of 13 extras—Sri Lanka’s fourth-highest scorer—Australia’s bowlers dominated the game. Megan Schutt led the charge with an impressive 3 for 12 on a pitch that favored the spinners, while Ash Gardner, Sophie Molineux, and Georgia Wareham combined to bowl 12 economical overs, taking four wickets and conceding just 55 runs.
Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum throughout their innings, with only a 31-run partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva standing out. They finished at 93 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs, leaving their bowlers with little to defend despite their excellent efforts in the field.
At one point, Sri Lanka had Australia at 35 for 3, but the lack of runs made it difficult to sustain any real pressure. Beth Mooney anchored the chase for Australia, playing a measured knock of 43* off 38 balls, ensuring there were no further stumbles in their pursuit of the target. Although Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, and Inoka Ranaweera each picked up a wicket, Australia cruised to victory with plenty of time to spare.
Megan Schutt was named Player of the Match for her standout bowling performance, and Australia’s clinical display sparked widespread praise on social media platform “X” (formerly known as Twitter), with fans hailing the dominance of Schutt, Molineux, and Gardner in what turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Yet another win for Australia in a T20 World Cup match. 👏
Off to a winning start in difficult conditions against a Sri Lanka team that has enjoyed an excellent last 12-18 months. #AUSvSL #WomensT20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/u6EyxMpegt
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) October 5, 2024
Australia’s bowlers are really setting the standard this #T20WorldCup That performance in Sharjah was top-notch. Keep the momentum going, Aussies! 🇦🇺 #AUSvSL 🏏
— Sakthinesan B (@sakthinesanb) October 5, 2024
Australia women swept away Sri Lanka women with such ease, started another tournament with a bang!
Cheat Code team!!#T20WomensWorldCup2024 #T20WomensWorldCup #AUSvSL #CricketTwitter— Palash Pansey (@PALASHPANSEY) October 5, 2024
After some initial hiccups, Australia comfortably secured the win by 6 wickets, with Beth Mooney unbeaten on 43* as she guided her team to victory.#T20WorldCup #AUSvSL https://t.co/fdmbhSDyYL
— Sports with Us (@sportswithus) October 5, 2024
80+ players have scored more than 1000 runs in Women’s T20Is. Beth Mooney is the only one among them with a batting average of 40+ (40.3)!
📷 getty/icc#T20WorldCup | #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/y90sKvvF7S
— Saim | صائم (@saimali_2001) October 5, 2024
They had a shaky start with the bat, but 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆, and 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗻𝗲𝗿 steadied the ship. They absorbed pressure and spent valuable time at the crease, which can help going forward. #T20WorldCup #AUSvSL
— Sudheer (@EpicCricketTalk) October 5, 2024
Megan Schutt has one of the most three wicket hauls in ICC WT20WC.
Most 3-wicket hauls in ICC WT20 World Cup
8 – Shabnim Ismail (SAW)
7 – Megan Schutt (AUSW)
6 – Anya Shrubsole (ENGW)
5 – Leigh Kasperek (NZW)
5 – Stafanie Taylor (WIW)#AUSvSL— Cricket ki pathshala (@ghosi_saif) October 5, 2024