Women's T20 World Cup: Australia edge closer to semi-finals with win over Sri Lanka

Defending champions Australia moved within touching distance of the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.

Beth Mooney hit 56 not out and Alyssa Healy added an unbeaten 54 to help the five-time winners chase down 113.

Sri Lanka had posted 112-8 with Australia's Megan Schutt taking 4-24.

Australia will reach the last four as group winners if they avoid defeat by South Africa in their final Group A match on Saturday.

Only a loss to South Africa combined with both the Proteas and Sri Lanka beating New Zealand in their final group matches, plus an improbable run-rate swing, will see Australia miss out on the semi-finals.

• Relive Australia's dominant win

• Who needs what to progress in Women's T20 World Cup?

Australia's blistering chase against Sri Lanka was a marked contrast to their stodgy second innings in their unconvincing win over Bangladesh last time out.

Mooney scored her first runs of the tournament on her way to a run-a-ball half-century.

Healy, whose 50 came off 38 deliveries, was fortunate to survive a stumping attempt in the second over, but otherwise Australia's opening pair gave little away.

Sri Lanka would have advanced straight to their first semi-final with a win over Australia having beaten South Africa and Bangladesh in their opening two matches.

And they got off to a fast start after being put into bat, racing to 50-1 after the first seven overs.

But once opener Harshitha Madavi was removed for 34 off 40 thanks to a stunning Grace Harris diving catch, Sri Lanka's innings stalled with the next seven overs going for just 19 runs.

Fast bowler Schutt helped clean up the tail with four late wickets after spinners Harris (2-7) and Georgia Wareham (1-20) built pressure with economical bowling.

Sri Lanka can still reach the last four with a win over New Zealand in their final match on Sunday.

Lanning praises Harris - what they said

Australia captain Meg Lanning: "Our bowlers set the win up. Grace Harris came in, she's not bowled much, and to be able to do that role was excellent.

"I think people stand up at different times. As I say, with Grace she comes in and plays a very specific role. Just the ability to call on different people and they come up in different moments."

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu: "We tried our best in the powerplay. After 15 overs we weren't batting well and we weren't executing our plans and that's why we lost.

"Mooney and Healy batted really well. We have to take wickets early otherwise we can't restrict Australia for runs.

"We want to play positive cricket in the next game. We play our natural game positively."

• 'I shared a lot of real emotions with people': 1Xtra Salutes the one and only Rihanna

• It's time for the next generation to cause mayhem! The cult school sitcom, Bad Education, is back