Australia have powered ruthlessly into the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup, hammering India by six wickets at Lord’s to maintain their unbeaten record while sending their biggest rivals spinning out of the tournament.
Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner both struck fifties in a superb century partnership off just 59 balls to guide Sophie Molineux’s side towards the highest successful chase ever in a women’s World Cup and their fifth successive triumph, as the group stages were concluded on Sunday (Monday AEST).
The victory ensured a semi-final for Australia across London at the Oval on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) against West Indies, and was a measure for them after India had dethroned them in their 50-over World Cup semi-final last year.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side had needed to win the match in front of a record crowd at the home of cricket to book their own semi-final place after South Africa had earlier struggled to beat Bangladesh by four wickets. India’s defeat, though, means South Africa, who finished second in Group 1, will play unbeaten England in the other semi-final at the Oval on Thursday (Friday AEST).
India fancied their chances after compiling a formidable 4-170, largely off the back of Harmanpreet’s 56 off 27 balls at the back end of the innings, including three sixes in succession in the penultimate over off her opposite number Molineux.
But Perry, who took the catch that eventually dismissed Harmanpreet, proved the rock in Australia’s record-breaking reply after Beth Mooney had begun with 22 off 20 balls and Phoebe Litchfield 24 off 25, the great allrounder then going on to hit eight boundaries in her 56 off 38 balls.
Perry found an able partner in Gardner, who actually scored at an even faster rate, striking three sixes and three fours in her unbeaten 53, before Georgia Wareham hit the winning boundary to take Australia to 4-172 with an over to spare.
Australia’s latest demonstration of their current mastery, as they look to regain the title they have won six times, was watched at Lord’s by Virat Kohli as the delighted South Africa women stayed on to find they had earned a semi-final spot.
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“I never thought I’d be supporting the Aussies – but go Aussies!” South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, had said with a smile after their Bangladesh win.