Women's T20 World Cup: Ireland stun champions Australia in warm-up
- Published
Irish captain Laura Delany hits a shot as she made her to 32 against Australia
Women's Twenty20 World Cup warm-up, Stellenbosch |
|---|
Australia 168-3 (20 overs): Healy 62 (rtd), McGrath 56 (rtd); Prendergast 2-19 |
Ireland 169-7 (19.4 overs): Delany 32, Hunter 26; Schutt 2-16 |
Ireland won by three wickets |
Ireland have shocked Women's T20 World Cup champions Australia with a three-wicket victory in Wednesday's warm-up game in Stellenbosch.
Alyssa Healy hit 62 and Tahlia McGrath added 56 before both retired as Australia posted 168-3.
Ireland made a brisk start in reply and captain Laura Delany made 32 as they threatened an upset.
Arlene Kelly's six in the final over proved crucial as the Irish clinched a first ever win over Australia on 169-7.
Orla Prendergast (2-19) gave Ireland an early boost by dismissing opener Beth Mooney for a duck before Healy and McGrath set the Aussies on their way to a strong total.
Ellysa Perry scored 40 from 20 balls as the five-time champions set an imposing target for the underdogs to chase.
Alyssa Healy top-scored in the game with her 62 runs coming off 40 deliveries
Amy Hunter (26) and Gaby Lewis (11) put on a quick 39 for the opening wicket before both fell, but Prendergast (26) and Delany ensured Ireland kept in touch with the run rate and with wickets in hands.
Louise Little (21) and Mary Waldron (15) brought Ireland closer to taking a big scalp and they needed nine from the last over for victory.
Kelly delivered with a maximum before Leah Paul hit the winning run with two balls to spare, sparking celebrations for the Irish and providing the perfect preparation for Monday's Women's T20 World Cup group opener against England.
Former Ireland player Kim Garth did not feature for Australia.
"It's pretty hard to sum up because it's just happened and then beating the world champions is obviously an amazing feat and I think it's one that's going to go down very well with the squad," said Irish opener Hunter.
"Me and Gabs (Gaby Lewis) always look to go hard in the powerplay with two fielders out. I know it's definitely in my game plan and definitely Gabs as well. I think that we just went down the batting order once me and Gabs got out as well. We always look to bat positively and I think we definitely did that.
"This will give the squad a huge amount of confidence leading into the tournament. But it is a warm-up game so you need to carry that form into the tournament.