Sri Lanka stun England; Australia, India register wins in T20 World Cup warm-ups

Australia, Sri Lanka and India sealed victories in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 warm-up matches against South Africa, England and West Indies on Tuesday (February 18).

In the first clash at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, Australia sealed a come-from-behind win against South Africa.

The top two wickets gave South Africa a rousing start, after being asked to bat first. Lizelle Lee (29) and Dane van Niekerk first added 79 runs for the opening wicket, before the skipper then combined with Marizanne Kapp (22) to take South Africa past the 100-run mark. Chloe Tryon then struck some lusty blows for her 11 off just five balls. In the interim, van Niekerk completed her half century and was dismissed for 62 in 51 balls.

But due to the lack of contributions and a push from the middle-order, the Proteas were kept down to six for 147 in their 20 overs. Delissa Kimmince picked up a couple of wickets for Australia.

In riposte, despite Kapp’s four-wicket haul, the hosts got home comfortably, thanks to important contributions from Meg Lanning (47) and Rachael Haynes (39). The pair added 83 for the fifth wicket after they got together at four for 35 inside the power play. It further strengthens Australia’s position as favourites of the T20 World Cup 2020.

Meg Lanning in action. © Getty Images

In the second match at the same venue, Sri Lanka upstaged England, galloping to a ten-wicket win with 45 balls to spare.

Chamari Atapattu played one of her whirlwind knocks, finishing unbeaten on 78 off just 50 balls with eight fours and five sixes. She had Hasini Madushika unbeaten on 29 for company. The duo stitched an unconquered 123 to overhaul England’s total.

England’s batting, like it did during the tri-series also, let them down once again after they’d chosen to bat. Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont’s 23 was the top score while the others struggled. The experienced Shashikala Siriwardene made life tough for the English batters, picking up four wickets at the expense of just 22 runs. That meant that England were kept to 122/9.

In the final warm-up fixture, India beat West Indies in the regular fixture, before the results reversed in the ‘practice Super Over’.

India’s batters had another forgettable outing on Australian shores this season. The top order – read Smriti Mandhana (four), Shafali Verma (12) and Jemimah Rodrigues (zero) – was blown away within the first 19 balls, leaving them tottering at three for 17.

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Though the procession continued, Shikha Pandey (24 not out in 16 balls) and Deepti Sharma’s 21 meant that India posted 107 for eight. Shamilia Connell and Anisa Mohammed picked up a couple of wickets.

Chasing 108, West Indies began very slowly with Britney Cooper (one) and Lee-Ann Kirby opening the innings. The latter, making a comeback to the side after 12 years, struck 42 hitting three fours and a couple of sixes.

However, the slow batting progress allowed India to come back into the game via their spinners. Poonam Yadav, playing after recovering from an injury, picked up three for 20, including defending 11 in the final over.

But in the Super Over that the teams played soon after, the Caribbean team beat India with Hayley Matthews hitting 12 off Yadav.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 147/6 in 20 overs (Dane van Niekerk 62, Lizelle Lee 29, Marizanne Kapp 22; Delissa Kimmince 2/34) lost to Australia 150/6 in 19.3 overs (Meg Lanning 47, Rachael Haynes 39; Marizanne Kapp 4/16) by four wickets.

England 122/9 in 20 overs (Amy Jones 23, Tammy Beaumont 23; Shashikala Siriwardene 4/22, Chamari Atapattu 3/21) lost to Sri Lanka 123/0 in 12.3 overs (Chamari Atapattu 78*) by ten wickets.

India 107/8 in 20 overs (Shikha Pandey 24*, Deepti Sharma 21; Shamilia Connell 2/20, Anisa Mohammed 2/16) beat West Indies 105/7 in 20 overs (Lee-Ann Kirby 42, Hayley Matthews 24; Poonam Yadav 3/20) by two runs.