Technically Australia have not yet qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup, but after Pakistan became the latest opponents crushed underfoot their net run rate is so superior they are effectively there with a game to spare.
Australia’s only concern from their 113-run victory at Headingley was a hand injury to wicketkeeper Beth Mooney, who battled on despite injuring a finger standing up, then aggravating it trying to take a flying catch off Kim Garth.
It wasn’t the best of days for Mooney, who suffered a first ball duck from the opening ball of the match.
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The finger injury comes after Mooney was forced to retire hurt while batting in Australia’s previous match against the Netherlands with a back complaint.
That, though, was as good as it got for Pakistan as Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll (39) combined for a 56-ball century partnership.
Ash Gardner also made nought but with Nicola Carey (26 no off 13 balls) and Annabel Sutherland (27 off 18) chipping in Perry steered Australia to 7-199.
Perry, who played shots all around the wicket, including a ramp, but was especially punishing on the leg side, eventually went for 71 off 48 balls with a six over long on and nine fours.
Pakistan had lost their three matches so far and they did not help themselves with two chaotic run-outs in the powerplay.
They still reached 50 at the end of the six overs, albeit for three wickets, mainly due to the hitting of wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali. She had a difficult match behind the stumps but made up for it with a bold batting approach.
Her fun was ended in the tenth over when Perry, with her first ball, bounced Muneeba and her pull was caught in the deep.
That left Pakistan 5-65 but Fatima Sana was next in having been curiously kept back to No.7. Her first two balls went for four but with Perry dismissing her partner Pakistan reached halfway 6-74 needing 126 off ten with four wickets left.
Only Glenn Maxwell delivers miracles from positions like that. One over and another daft run-out later it was 8-75. The end was swift, Pakistan dismissed for 86 with 38 balls remaining.
In a useful workout Australia used eight bowlers with Perry (2-9), captain Sophie Molineux (2-6) and Sutherland (2-12) taking most advantage.
Australia’s final group match is on Sunday, against India at Lord’s. Having lost to South Africa India are likely to need to win to qualify for the last four.
But Australia are unlikely to ease up, not least as winning the group gives them two extra days’ preparation before the final, and probably means they avoid playing hosts England in the semi-final.
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