It was an amazing start to the home season as Australian women started the T20I series with a comfortable 41 run win over Sri Lanka played at North Oval, Sydney on Sunday.
Australian captain Meg Lanning won the toss and decided to bat first. Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy got the team off to a flying start putting on Sri Lankan bowlers right from word go. At the end of 6 overs, both openers took them to 64 for 0.
After the power play overs, Ranasinghe got the breakthrough dismissing Healy for 43 off 21 balls. Australian openers added 72 runs in 6.3 overs. Ranasinghe struck again by getting the big wicket of Meg Lanning cheaply for 1. Gardner came to the crease and took the attack to Sri Lankan bowlers. Beth Mooney continued her aggressive intent to reach her fifty off 33 balls. After reaching her fifty, Gardner and Mooney smashed the Sri Lankan bowling attack. The left-handed Mooney was simply unstoppable and made the batting look easy to reach her 2nd T20I century off 54 balls. Gardner and Mooney added 115 runs for the 3rd wicket. Mooney was dismissed for a brilliant 113 off 61 balls. Gardner also played a quickfire knock scoring 49 off 21 balls. Australian women posted a massive total of 217 for 4 in 20 overs.
Chasing the target of 218 runs to win, the Sri Lankan innings did not get off to a good start as they lost 2 early wickets and could not score at a quick pace. At the end of 6 overs, Sri Lanka were 34 for 2.
After the power play overs, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Atthapathu led the charge with some clean hitting which put Australia bowlers under pressure. She reached her fifty off 44 balls. Karunaratne gave the captain good support. The Sri Lankan captain hit some big shots and made the batting look easy. She and Karunaratne added 76 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Atthapathu was simply sensational and reached her maiden T20I century off 60 balls. Meghan Schutt dismissed Sri Lankan captain for a brilliant 113 off 66 balls. Despite her efforts, Sri Lanka ended on 176 for 7 in 20 overs. The Australian women won the first T20I by 41 runs.
Australian women 217 for 4 in 20 overs ( Beth Mooney 113, Gardner 49, Ranasinghe 2/44) beat Sri Lankan women 176 for 7 in 20 overs ( Chamari Atthapathu 113, Warhem 2/19) by 41 runs.
With this win, Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the 3 matches T20I series. The 2nd T20I match will be played at the same ground tomorrow.