WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA – Relentless Aussies burst Sri Lanka bubble – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor)
Sri Lanka’s dream start at the Women’s World Cup was jolted to reality when defending champions Australia cruelly burst their bubble with a comprehensive thrashing of the Islanders.
With much riding on this game from a Sri Lankan perspective, on the road of discovery as to their true standing, the Island nation soon discovered the yawning gap between the best and the rest.
The Aussies won the toss and challenged the Lankans to show what they’ve got with the bat. They didn’t have much, or a challenging target to offer, mainly due to the accuracy of Australia’s bowlers backed by brilliant fielding that restricted Sri Lanka to a mere113.
Then openers Alyssa Healey 54 off 43 balls with one six and 6 fours, and Beth Mooney 56 off 53 balls launched into an innocuous Sr Lanka attack to steer the Aussies to victory and a firm place at the top of their group with consummate ease.
Mooney’s timely return to form makes the Aussies a ominous proposition to win back to back World Cups. Healey, also returning from injury, proved she has lost none of her brilliant touch.
Sri Lanka have always ridden on the form of skipper Chamari Athapaththu who appeared on course for another great knock. But a brilliant catch by Grace Harris put paid to a competitive total when Athapaththu skied one to mid off and departed after a run a ball16 which put the brakes on what seemed like a challenging start.
The rest of Sri Lanka’s batting relies on opener Harshita Samarawickrema, 34 off 40 balls and Vishmi Gunaratne 24 off 33 deliveries, who were the only other notable contributors. Pacie Megan Schutt 4 for 24 and Grace Harris 2 for 7 combined to bamboozle and stifle the rest of the batting to restrict Sri Lanka to 113 for 8 in their allotted overs.
Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy then took on and took apart Sri Lanka’s unproven attack to scatter the bowling to all parts to steer Australia to a convincing 10 wicket win with 25 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka will now be sweating on a win over New Zealand in the last game, which is possible, but also needing other results to go their way if they are to make the Semi-Final for the first time.
Skipper Athapaththu’s performance will hinge heavily on whether they can take that next step.
