Australian women recorded their highest ever run chase in T20Is
The Australian women’s team began the multi-format Ashes series with their highest ever run-chase in the first T20I match played at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on Thursday.
Australian captain Meg Lanning won the toss and decided to
field first. The England openers Tammy Beaumont and experienced Danielle Wyatt
started cautiously before taking an attack on Australian bowlers. Both openers
kept the momentum going for England with boundaries, especially Wyatt. At the end of
the first six overs, England women scored 51 without losing any wickets.
After the field restrictions, Wyatt and Beaumont maintained
the momentum for England openers keeping the scoreboard ticking. King making his
international debut struck getting rid of Beaumont with a simple return catch.
Beaumont and Wyatt added 82 runs for the opening wicket laying a strong foundation
for a big total.
Nat Sciver came to the crease and continued to maintain the momentum.
Wyatt looked composed reaching his fifty off 39 balls. The Australian bowlers
looked rusty with their lines and lengths as Sciver and Wyatt took advantage.
Tahlia McGrath changed the momentum of the innings dismissing well-set Sciver
and Wyatt in the same over with brilliant yorkers. Sciver and Wyatt added 59
runs for the 2nd wicket. The Australian bowlers kept it tight not
allowing the visitors to hit big shots. Heather Knight and Sophie Dunkley scored
some vital runs to help England women post 169 for 4 in 20 overs.
In reply, it was not an ideal start for Australia as Alyssa Healy
was dismissed cheaply by Ecclestone with a simple catch to Sciver. Meg Lanning
and McGrath put pressure on the England bowlers with lovely strokes by both
batters. At the end of the first six overs, Australian women scored 42 for 1.
Tahlia McGrath looked in sublime touch taking on England
bowlers especially Sarah Glenn. Meg Lanning also joined with positive intent
making life tough for the opposition. McGrath reached her fifty off just 28
balls keeping the scoreboard ticking. McGrath was given not out by the umpire
but on review, it remained not out due to the umpire’s call. Lanning kept the pressure
on England bowlers reaching her fifty too off 38 balls. It was one-way traffic as
McGrath and Lanning did the job for Australia chasing down the target by 9
wickets with 3 overs to spare. Both added unbeaten 144 runs for the 2nd
wicket.
Australian women 170 for 1 in 17 overs (McGrath 91*, Meg
Lanning 64*, Ecclestone 1/29) beat England women 169 for 4 in 20 overs ( Wyatt
70, Sciver 32, McGrath 3/26) by 9 wickets.
For his unbeaten 91 and 3 for 26 in 4 overs, Tahlia McGrath was
awarded the player of the match. Australia took the first two points in the Ashes
and 1-0 lead. The 2nd T20I match will be played on 22nd
January at Adelaide Oval.
Australian women recorded their highest ever run chase in T20Is
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