Mooney guides Australia to win over Sri Lanka

Australia got off to the greatest possible start in their defense of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets.

With Nilakshika Silva top-scoring with an undefeated 29, Sri Lanka battled to 93 for seven despite electing to bat first in Sharjah.

Australia demonstrated that it was difficult for either side, but they could trust on Beth Mooney, who persevered in the heat to score 43 runs without giving up and lead her team home with 5.4 overs remaining.

Against the top-ranked team in the world, Sri Lanka needed to get off to a strong start. They applied pressure right away, needing 10 balls to get a run before Vishmi Gunarathne was out for a duck.

After Australia successfully disputed an LBW ruling, captain Chamari Athapaththu was quickly followed for just three wickets, with Ashleigh Gardner taking her first wicket.

Following Australia's third no ball of the innings, Harshitha Samarawickrama exploited a free knock to score Sri Lanka's first boundary.

After Darcie Brown's opening over cost 12, Australia created unwelcome history by recording their fifth consecutive no-ball, bringing Sri Lanka to 23 for two at the end of the powerplay. Once Sophie Molineux removed Sri Lanka's second of their two reviews and claimed their third LBW wicket of the innings, they were back in charge.

Samarawickrama was relieved on 20 when Brown made a catch as she slid in from extra cover, helping to take the score to 43 for three at the halfway point.

Despite this, the wicketkeeper only managed three more runs, as Molineux made an outstanding comeback to the World Cup stage with a straightforward caught and bowled.

Silva finished on 29 not out from 40 balls, offering some resistance but not increasing the scoring rate.

As Sri Lanka finished 93 for seven, Megan Schutt ended her 34-run partnership with Anushka Sanjeewani. With two wickets in two deliveries, she tied Shabnim Ismail for the most T20 World Cup wickets with 43.

In the first over of the reply, Udeshika Prabodhani clean bowled Australia's skipper Alyssa Healy.

The risk of pushing Georgia Wareham up the order did not pay off, as she was run out at 14 for 2 after some fine fielding by Kavisha Dilhari.

The ultra-cool Mooney was left to lead the chase, and she and Gardner guided Australia to 62 for three at the midway point.

At 43, Gardner skied a shot that Samarawickrama happily ate up, ending the partnership, but it did little more than delay the inevitable.

Mooney, who was awarded Player of the Final in 2023 for her 78 not out in their victory, finished on 43 not out as she continued where she left off in the World Cup of cricket.

Australia also kept up their winning ways at the World Cup, winning by six wickets for the 12th time in a row.

Quick scores

At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Australia will play Sri Lanka.

(Nilakshika Silva 29 not out, Harshitha Samarawickrama 23; Megan Schutt 3/12, Sophie Molineux 2/20) Sri Lanka 93/7 in 20 overs

Australia 94/4 after 14.2 overs (Ellyse Perry 17 not out, Beth Mooney 43 not out, Sugandika Kumari 1/16, Udeshika Prabodani 1/19).

Australia emerged victorious by six wickets.