Technically, Australia have not yet qualified for the semi-finals of the Womenโs Twenty20 World Cup, but after Pakistan became the latest opponents crushed underfoot their net run rate is so superior they are effectively there with a game to spare.
Australiaโs only concern from their 113-run victory at Headingley was a hand injury to wicketkeeper Beth Mooney, who battled on despite injuring a finger standing up, then aggravated it trying to take a flying catch off Kim Garth.
It wasnโt the best of days for Mooney, who had a first-ball duck from the opening ball of the match. That, though, was as good as it got for Pakistan as Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll (39) combined for a 56-ball century partnership.
Ash Gardner also made nought but with Nicola Carey (26 not out off 13 balls) and Annabel Sutherland (27 off 18) chipping in, Perry steered Australia to 7-199.
Perry, who played shots all around the wicket, including a ramp, but was especially punishing on the leg side, eventually went for 71 off 48 balls with a six over long on and nine fours.
โI really enjoyed my innings,โ Perry said.
โThe power play is the best time to bat, I wanted to keep taking the game on.โ
Pakistan had lost their three matches so far, and they did not help themselves with two chaotic runouts in the power play.
They still reached 50 at the end of the six overs, albeit for three wickets, mainly due to the hitting of wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali. She had a difficult match behind the stumps but made up for it with a bold batting approach.
Her fun was ended in the 10th over when Perry, with her first ball, bounced Muneeba and her pull was caught in the deep.
โProbably got a little bit lucky with the bowling, but it was fun to bowl an over,โ added Perry.
โIt was nice to consistently take wickets across the bowling group.โ
That left Pakistan 5-65, but Fatima Sana was next in having been curiously kept back to No.7. Her first two balls went for four but with Perry dismissing her partner Pakistan reached halfway 6-74 needing 126 off 10 with four wickets left.
Only Glenn Maxwell delivers miracles from positions like that. One over and another daft runout later it was 8-75. The end was swift, Pakistan dismissed for 86 with 38 balls remaining.
In a useful workout Australia used eight bowlers with Perry (2-9), captain Sophie Molineux (2-6) and Sutherland (2-12) taking most advantage.
โWeโve got options and depth and thatโs a good problem to have,โ said Molineux. โWe can look at conditions and opposition.
โI am enjoying captaincy. Itโs been a challenge, the last few months have been very different for me, but Iโm so lucky the staff and players have been incredible.
โPeople are stepping up when they get their chance and I think that will be key for us moving forward.โ
Australiaโs final group match is on Sunday, against India at Lordโs. Having lost to South Africa, India are likely to need to win to qualify for the last four.
But Australia are unlikely to ease up, not least as winning the group gives them two extra daysโ preparation before the final, and probably means they avoid playing hosts England in the semi-final.
AAP
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
From our partners
About the Author
