Australia put on a clinical display to THE ASHES thrash Sri Lanka by 108 runs in their last group stage match at the ongoing ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup being played in South Africa.  

Put into bat first, Australia’s new opening pair of Kate Pelle (27 from 19) and Sianna Ginger (30 from 31) got off to a brisk start, adding 41 from 33 balls. And although Sri Lanka spinners Rismi Sanjana (2/30) and Dewmi Wijerathne (1/21) made crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, they couldn’t quite stem Australia’s scoring rate.  A belligerent charge from Amy Smith (22* from 16) and Lucy Hamilton (21 from 11) helped Australia to 159/5. In the chase, Sri Lanka lost the plot from the get go as they were bundled out for just 51 runs.

The islanders tried to go for their strokes early on but ended up losing three wickets inside the powerplay. Things only got worse, as Australia ripped apart the middle and lower order to bowl Sri Lanka out for 51 runs. Interestingly, none of the Sri Lanka batters were able to pass the 15-run mark, with opening batter Nethmi Senaratne (11) the only batter to enter double digits.

All seven bowlers used by Australia managed to pick up at least one wicket.  Maggie Clark (2/8) was impeccable with the ball early on, delivering two maidens and taking two wickets in her opening spell. 

Brief scores:

Australia: 159-5 (20) (Ella Hayward 36, Sianna Ginger 30, Rismi Sanjana 2-30)

Sri Lanka: 51 all out (13) (Nethmi Senaratne 11, Lucy Hamilton 2-1, Maggie Clark 2-8)