Aussies make blistering start on opening day of U19WC 2025
Australia made a terrific impact on the opening morning of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia.
Australia showcased their dominance in the opening set of matches at the tournament by bowling out Scotland for just 48 runs and comfortably chasing the target in 6.4 overs, thanks to Kate Pelle's quickfire 29 off 18 balls.
Elsewhere in the morning fixtures, rain disrupted the match between Samoa and Nigeria, leading to the match being abandoned without a single ball bowled.
In the Ireland vs. England clash, England managed to score 144 in their first innings and put Ireland under pressure early by taking two quick wickets. However, rain intervened again, forcing the game to end in a draw.
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Australia seal quickfire win over Scotland
Australia made an impressive start in Bangi, cruising to a comfortable win over Scotland.
After winning the toss and sending their opponents in, the Aussies fired with the ball and had the Scots all out for just 48 runs off 15.1 overs.
Caoimhe Bray's 1-3 off 3.1 overs earned her Player of the Match honours, while Eleanor Larosa (7-3 off 3) and Hasrat Gill (10-2 off 2) were also unrelenting with the ball. All three bowlers set themselves up hat-trick balls on separate occasions throughout the innings.
Along with victory, Australia executed a lightning-quick chase to register a strong net run rate position, finishing proceedings inside seven overs to win by nine wickets. They made it to 49-1 off 6.4 overs, led by Kate Pelle (29* off 18), firing off a stern warning shot to their Group D rivals.
AUSTRALIA v SCOTLAND, MATCH CENTRE
Rain has final say in England and Ireland's showdown
The Group B rivals were forced to split the points, as England eyed a positive start to their World Cup campaign after a strong showing with the bat.
Seven more balls were all that was required to produce a result in Johor, but the rain proved relentless.
The English were sent in by Ireland and opener Davina Perrin helped them get off to a flyer, blasting 26 off 19 including the tournament's first maximum.
Charlotte Stubbs (31 off 34) and Jemima Spence (37 off 27) made strong contributions as England totalled 144-7 from their 20 overs.
Ireland's batting innings also got off to an eventful start, featuring both boundaries and wickets, climbing to 28-2 off 3.5 overs.
But that's when the rain set in and the teams were unable to resume play.
ENGLAND v IRELAND, MATCH CENTRE
England star Davina Perrin snags the first maximum of the ICC Women's U19 World Cup, smashing one back over the bowler's head.
Historic U19 World Cup clash abandoned
Sadly, there was no cricket in Sarawak between Samoa and Nigeria, two teams both making their ICC Women's U19 World Cup debuts.
The two nations will share the spoils in Group C and hope the radar clears in the coming days.