Sharjah: In a surprising turn of events at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia defied expectations by changing their batting order during a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Rather than sending expected batswoman Ellyse Perry after an early dismissal, Georgia Wareham took the crease, showcasing Australia’s strategic flexibility in their title defense.
According to International Cricket Council, the match in Sharjah was marked by Australia’s bold tactics, including Wareham’s unusual batting position. Although Wareham was run out for just three, Alyssa Healy and Megan Schutt highlighted the team’s depth and adaptability, which played crucial roles in the match. Schutt’s performance was particularly notable, taking three wickets for 12 runs, tying her for the most wickets at a Women’s T20 World Cup.
The game also revealed the challenges posed by the Sharjah pitch, which offered more bounce than anticipated, affecting both teams’ play. Despite these conditions, Australian opener Beth Mooney excelled, scoring 43 not out and steering Australia to an early finish with over five overs to spare. On the other side, Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, acknowledged the difficulties her team faced with the slow pitch but expressed optimism about adapting better in upcoming matches in Dubai.