Australia beats Sri Lanka to begin defense of Women’s T20 World Cup and England wins

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Australia began its title defense at the Women’s T20 World Cup with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Saturday.

England then defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs, handing the tournament host a second straight group loss and sending it to the verge of falling out of semifinals contention.

Sri Lanka could score only 93-7 as Australia medium-pacer Megan Schutt collected 3-12 in four overs and left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux took 2-20.

Beth Mooney led Australia’s reply as it overhauled the total in only 14.2 overs. Australia was down to 35-3 at one stage but Mooney scored 43 not out off 38 balls to lead her side to victory.

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka suffered crucial early blows. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was out lbw to Ashleigh Gardner for just 3.

Schutt and Molineux hit the top order hard as Sri Lanka was reduced to 25-3 in 6.4 overs.

The Asian champions were saved from some embarrassment by Nilakshi de Silva scoring 29 not out off 40 balls, and Harshitha Madavi’s 23. They partnered for 31.

Australia’s top order struggled as well. Skipper Alyssa Healy was dismissed for 4 and Georgia Wareham was run out for 3.

When Sugandika Kumari bowled Ellyse Perry for 17 in the sixth over, there was some trouble.

But Mooney dug in deep, and found support from Gardner, who added 12. Together, they shared 43 off only 40 balls and sped up its chase.

Like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka has lost its opening two group matches and was nearly out of contention of advancing to the semis.

Later, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge led England by scoring 41 off 40 in their 118-7. Bangladesh could make only 97-7 despite Sobhana Mostary’s 44 off 48.

Maia Bouchier gave England a good start with 23 off 18. She hit three fours and put on 48 off 40 balls for the opening stand with Wyatt-Hodge.

Bangladesh’s spinners went to work and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun grabbed 2-18 in four overs, and left-armer Nahida Akter 2-32.

They removed the opening duo and Nat Sciver-Brunt for 2. Ritu Moni bowled Heather Knight for 6 and England was 76-4.

When Wyatt-Hodge, who struck five fours, fell in the 13th over — stumped off Aktar — England’s batting was unable to kick on.

Only Amy Jones (12) also reached double figures as England scored 42 runs off the last 47 deliveries.

Mostary’s second 35-plus score in consecutive games propped up Bangladesh’s innings. She hit a four and a six.

But only one other batter reached double figures, Nigar Sultana’s 15 off 20 balls. Her run out in the 12th over changed their course.

Sultana and Mostary rebuilt the innings from 17-2 in the fifth over by putting on 34.

Mostary held one end together and was last out, lbw, in the 19th over, but Bangladesh had already lost momentum in its chase.

Spinners Linsey Smith, 2-11, and Charlie Dean, 2-22, were suffocating.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

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