Australia’s middle-order batter Rachael Haynes and skipper Meg Lanning played crucial knocks to take their team over the line in their second game of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka at WACA Ground in Perth on Monday.
Chasing 123, the hosts started terribly as they lost three wickets for just 10 runs. Opener Alyssa Healy (0) was dismissed in the very first over by medium-pacer Udeshika Prabodhani. In her very next over, the left-armer sent all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner (2) back to the dugout.
In the following over, off-spinner Shashikala Siriwardene dismissed another opener Beth Mooney and Aussies were reduced to 10-3. But then, the experienced pair of Haynes and Lanning took their team out of hot water and added a 95-run stand to take the game away from the Lankan team.
From 10/3 and on the ropes to 105/4 and within three hits of victory.
What a partnership between these two 👏#T20WorldCup | #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/DBtQ2t4rMw
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 24, 2020
Haynes smashed 60 off 47 balls with four 4s and two 6s before the spin of Siriwardene outdid her. After this wicket, Sri Lanka did manage to get one more in the form of Nicola Carey, but it was too late as Australia chased down the set target with three balls to spare.
AUSSIES WIN! 💚💛 Playing in her hundredth T20 for Australia, Meg Lanning sticks it out until the end, and carries her team to victory.
Scorecard: https://t.co/WqITb8ou24 #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/PFIOMv64XW
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) February 24, 2020
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 122-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu scored the maximum 50 runs. Medium-pacer Carey and offie Molly Strano bagged two wickets each, while speedster Megan Schutt and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen earned one scalp each.
For her match-winning performance, Haynes was gratified with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Rachael Haynes is awarded the Player of the Match for her innings of 60. #T20WorldCup https://t.co/dlc5snByJn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 24, 2020
