Australia’s middle-order batter Rachael Haynes and skipper Meg Lanning played crucial knocks to take their team over the line in their second game of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka at WACA Ground in Perth on Monday.
Chasing 123, the hosts started terribly as they lost three wickets for just 10 runs. Opener Alyssa Healy (0) was dismissed in the very first over by medium-pacer ��Udeshika Prabodhani. In her very next over, the left-armer sent꧅ all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner (2) back to the dugout.
In the following over, off-spinner Shashikala Siriwardene dismissed another opener Beth Mooney and Aussies were reduced to 10-3. But then, the experienced pair of Haynes and Lanning took their team out of hot wate🐼r and added a 95-run stand to take the game away from the Lankan team.
From 10/3 and on the ropes to 105/4 and within t𒁏hree hits of victory.
What a partnership between these two 👏 |
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup)
Haynes smashed 60 off 47 balls with four 4s and two 6s before the spin of Siri𓆏wardene outdid her. After this wicket, Sri Lanka did manage to get one more in the form of Nicola Carey, but it was too late as Australia chased down the set target with three balls to spare.
AUSSIES WIN! 💚💛 Playing in her hundredth T20 for Australꦐia, Meg Lanning sticks it out until the end, and carries her team to victory.
Scorecard:
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket)
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 122-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu scored the maximum 50 runs. Medium-pacer Carey and offie Molly Strano𒐪 bagged two wickets each, while speedster Megan Schutt and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen earnಞed one scalp each.
For her match-winning performance, Haynes was gratified with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Rachael Haynes is awarded the Player of the Match for her 🤡innings of 60.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
