The first semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 saw Australia take on India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The match was a thrilling affair, with Australia eventually emerging victorious by 85 runs.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a great start, with openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney putting on a solid partnership of 79 runs. Healy was the star of the show, scoring 75 off just 39 balls. She was ably supported by Mooney, who scored a steady 33 off 34 balls. The middle order also chipped in with useful contributions, with Ashleigh Gardner and Meg Lanning both scoring 20+ runs. Australia eventually posted a total of 184/4 in their 20 overs.
India’s chase got off to a disastrous start, with opener Shafali Verma dismissed for a duck in the first over. The other opener, Smriti Mandhana, also failed to make an impact, scoring just 8 runs. The middle order was unable to make up for the loss of early wickets, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur both dismissed for single-digit scores. India eventually folded for 99 runs in the 18th over, handing Australia a comprehensive victory.
Healy was the star of the show for Australia, scoring 75 runs off just 39 balls. She was ably supported by Mooney, who scored 33 off 34 balls. For India, Shikha Pandey was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/25 in her 4 overs.
Australia will now face either England or South Africa in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. India, on the other hand, will have to wait for another opportunity to win the title.