By Avenash Ramzan
Australia inflicted a crushing nine-wicket defeat on Ireland, winning their Group B game of the Women’s World T20 in emphatic fashion at Providence on Sunday.
Ireland crept to 93-6 after electing to bat first. Australia delivered 64 dot balls, stifling the Irish batters, whose top score of 24 came from Kim Garth. Ellyse Perry picked up 2-12.
Australia then romped to 94-1 in 9.1 overs, winning with 65 balls to spare.
Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney set the chase off on a rocket, blazing to 71 in just 5.4 overs. Healy, who cracked 48 in the opening game, pounced on the Irish bowlers, finishing on 56 not out off 31 balls (9x4s, 1×6).
Healy’s 50, which came off the 21st delivery she faced, was the fastest in the tournament’s history and the second fastest in all Women’s T20 matches. In the process of her knock, she became only the third wicketkeeper to score 1,000 T20I runs.
Mooney made 15, while Perry struck a six in her nine not out. With the win, Australia moved to the top of the table on net run rate, ahead of India, who also have two wins from two.
