Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Australia fight back to win final warm-up match, England and India also win

The warm-up matches for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 were won by Australia, England, and India. In the warm-ups, reigning champions Australia retaliated with the ball, capturing the final nine wickets of the West Indies for 17 runs to begin their championship defense undefeated.

After limiting New Zealand to 127 runs in their innings, Lauren Bell and Sarah Glenn helped chase the total down with ease. India trounced South Africa with a performance from Deepti Sharma that included 35 not out and one wicket for just two runs.

King leads Australia’s fightback

Australia needed Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland to come through in a 35-run victory over the West Indies. Four of Australia’s top six scorers after being put into bat managed single figures. Despite everything, Gardner continued to accumulate steadily as she and Sutherland put up 56 runs for the sixth wicket until Sutherland left at 38.

After taking the last wicket of the innings, Gardner (31) was removed by Alana King, who took 21 off 13 to bring Australia to 144 for eight.

Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph responded by putting on 68 for the first wicket, followed by 24 more from Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle for the second.

After then, the West Indies’ pursuit of the wicket was completely derailed, as they lost wickets in four of the five remaining overs, starting with the dismissals of Deandra Dottin (0) and Campbell (9) from consecutive Sutherland deliveries. Matthews made 42 before collapsing to leave Windies at 104 for 8. She did her best to resist. King finished with four for thirty and helped Australia win with just five runs needed to win.

Kerr’s efforts in vain

Amelia Kerr, the opener, scored 64 runs without conceding a wicket, although her side was defeated by England by five wickets. Lauren Bell was economical in her three overs, giving up just 13 runs, and struck first, removing Suzie Bates (3).

In her entire over, Sarah Glenn gave up just 16 runs, and she also caught Sophie Devine for 24. The White Ferns faltered after that, and Izzy Gaze (26 not out) and Kerr combined to reduce New Zealand to 127 all out.

In reply, England regularly lost wickets but were never in trouble thanks to the 35 and 31 points scored by the two double-barrelled players, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Sciver-Brunt was the last batsman to leave England, and Dani Gibson completed the chase with three overs remaining with 24 not out.

Sharma shines for India

Despite Ayabonga Khaka’s outstanding performance with the ball, South Africa lost to India by 28 runs.

As South Africa limited India to 144/7 from their 20 overs, Khaka scored five runs.

Along with the dangerous Harmanpreet Kaur (10) and Richa Ghosh, who top-scored with 36 off 25 balls, the seam bowler removed Shafali Verma for a duck.

Only Deepti Sharma managed to hold on, scoring 35 not out, as Khaka denied India the opportunity to capitalize in the closing overs. Ghosh was one of three wickets to fall in the final over.

But South Africa responded cautiously, making only 56 at the midway point before Laura Wolvaardt left the eleventh over for 29.

Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Australia and India headline star-studded Group A

After giving up just two runs in her two overs, Sharma was unable to prevent India from winning by 28 runs despite late hopes from Chloe Tryon and Annerie Dercksen, who scored 24 and 21 not out, respectively.