Australia booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a thrilling nine-run victory over India on Sunday, despite missing captain Alyssa Healy.
The six-time champions, led by Tahila McGrath, held their nerve in a tense match in Sharjah to extend their winning streak to 15 in the tournament.
Healy, who suffered a foot injury in Australia’s previous game against Pakistan, was replaced by Grace Harris at the top of the order.
Harris made the most of her opportunity, top-scoring with 40 runs, while McGrath chipped in with 32 as Australia set a target of 151-8 after choosing to bat first.
India, in reply, put up a valiant fight but fell short, finishing on 142-9. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the charge with an unbeaten 54, while Deepti Sharma contributed 29 in a key 63-run partnership. However, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland held her nerve in the final over, conceding only four runs and taking four wickets to seal the win.
India needed 14 off the last six balls but couldn’t get over the line as Sutherland's accurate bowling wrapped up the match. With the win, Australia confirmed their place in the semi-finals for the ninth consecutive time in the tournament.
India’s hopes of advancing now depend on the result of the Pakistan-New Zealand clash. If New Zealand wins, they will take second place in Group A and move into the semis. If Pakistan wins, it will lead to a tie between India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, with net run-rate deciding which team advances.
Australia’s innings got off to a rocky start, with Renuka Singh taking two quick wickets, dismissing Beth Mooney for two and Georgia Wareham for a duck. However, Harris and McGrath stabilized the innings with a 62-run stand, and Ellyse Perry added 32 off 23 balls, driving the innings forward. Phoebe Litchfield finished strong, hitting an unbeaten 15, including a six to end the innings.
India’s Deepti Sharma bowled well, taking two key wickets, including Harris and Perry, and nearly dismissed Litchfield leg-before-wicket. Litchfield was briefly walking off the field after the appeal but returned with a smile when the third umpire ruled her not out, saying the ball hit her outside the line of the stumps.
In another blow for Australia, fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after dislocating her shoulder in their match against Pakistan.
Australia will now prepare for the semi-finals, while India waits on the outcome of the Pakistan-New Zealand match to see if they can still advance.
