Expect the unexpected with Australia at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Media Release
Australia showed today that they are not shy to flip the script in their mission to defend their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.
With Alyssa Healy departing just four balls into their run chase of Sri Lanka’s 93, would have had fans expecting Ellyse Perry to walk out to bat, but instead it was Georgia Wareham.
It was a sign to expect the unexpected, even if the end result was Wareham’s run out for just three on Australia’s road to a six-wicket victory in Sharjah.
“We will probably throw a few different things in throughout the tournament,” Healy revealed.
“We are so blessed with depth throughout our line-up that we don’t really know what to do with it all.
“To have the ability to throw different players up and down the order to break the game open is something we’ll look to do and Wolfie [Georgia Wareham] has been doing a great job for us.”
Australia’s defence of their crown got off to a strong start as Sri Lanka were restricted to just 23 runs in the powerplay.
Megan Schutt finished with three for 12 from her four overs as she moved level with Shabnim Ismail on 43 wickets, the joint-most at a Women’s T20 World Cup.
For the veteran pace bowler, Australia’s victory was down to how they dealt with the unpredictable Sharjah surface.
She said: “There was a bit more bounce in the wicket than I thought there was going to be early on.
“And I have been pushing Midge [Alyss Healy] for three overs in the powerplay for a while, so it was nice to do that.
“We probably could have been a little bit cleaner if we are honest, but that is the stage of the game, and it is quite a slow outfield so that was a bit of adjustment, and it gives us a bit to work on.
“It is a decent wicket, and it got a little bit lower and slower towards the end, but the outfield is immaculate. It is a little bit slower, so we are going to have to run them out there, which in the heat is a little bit tough.”
Sri Lanka were playing their second game in Sharjah but on a different wicket to their loss to Pakistan.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu admitted they struggled to deal with conditions which were mastered by Australia opener Beth Mooney.
Despite the heat, Mooney remained calm to make 43 not out and guide Australia home with 5.4 overs to spare.
Now for Sri Lanka, it will be how they adapt to new surroundings as they head to Dubai to take on India.
Athapaththu said: “Unfortunately in the first game against Pakistan and today against Australia, we feel like our batters have struggled on the tracks with the slow bounce and pace off.
“But we can’t complain, we have to adjust to conditions and play positive cricket all the time.
“We need to improve our batting; we have to play fearless cricket out there in the middle and I hope the conditions are good for us in the next games.
“I know the Dubai tracks are really good for batting so I hope my girls will perform in Dubai.”
ENDS