Australia secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a thrilling nine-run win over India on Sunday, despite the absence of their captain Alyssa Healy. The six-time champions, led by Tahila McGrath, maintained their composure in a tense match in Sharjah, extending their tournament winning streak to 15.
Healy, sidelined by a foot injury from Australia’s previous match against Pakistan, was replaced by Grace Harris at the top of the order. Harris made the most of her opportunity, scoring 40 runs, while McGrath added 32 to help Australia post 151-8 after choosing to bat first.
India, in response, put up a strong fight but fell short at 142-9. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led India with an unbeaten 54, while Deepti Sharma contributed 29, building a crucial 63-run partnership. However, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland held her nerve in the final over, conceding just four runs and taking four wickets to seal the victory. India required 14 runs off the last six balls but couldn’t cross the finish line as Sutherland’s precise bowling wrapped up the match. With this win, Australia advanced to the semi-finals for the ninth consecutive time in the tournament.
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India’s chances of progressing now hinge on the result of the Pakistan-New Zealand match. A New Zealand victory would push them into the semis, while a Pakistan win would lead to a tie between India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, with net run-rate determining the second team from Group A to advance.
Australia’s innings faced early setbacks with Renuka Singh taking two quick wickets, dismissing Beth Mooney for two and Georgia Wareham for a duck. Harris and McGrath then stabilized the innings with a 62-run partnership, while Ellyse Perry added 32 off 23 balls. Phoebe Litchfield finished the innings on a high note, scoring an unbeaten 15, including a six.
India’s Deepti Sharma was impressive with the ball, taking two crucial wickets, including Harris and Perry. She also nearly dismissed Litchfield leg-before-wicket, but the third umpire ruled in favor of the batter, leading to a light-hearted moment as Litchfield returned to the crease with a smile.
In another setback for Australia, fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck was ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a dislocated shoulder sustained in the match against Pakistan.
Australia now shifts its focus to the semi-finals, while India awaits the outcome of the Pakistan-New Zealand game to determine if they can still progress.
