Australia thrashed West Indies by eight wickets in a T20 international in Sydney, with captain Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath striking half-centuries to chase down the target of 148 with ease.
Australia made a dominant start to their international summer with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20 international in Sydney on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 148, the home side raced to victory in just 13.2 overs, with skipper Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath both scoring half-centuries.
Healy smashed 56 off 29 balls, including three sixes and seven boundaries, while McGrath finished on 60 not out off 32 deliveries, with four fours and four sixes.
The pair put on a match-winning partnership of 122 for the second wicket, after Australia lost Beth Mooney (1) cheaply in the second over.
Healy was eventually caught at long-on off the bowling of Hayley Matthews, but McGrath remained unbeaten to guide Australia to a comfortable victory.
Earlier, West Indies had struggled to get going after being sent in to bat, with only Matthews (99 not out) and Shemaine Campbelle (25) offering any real resistance.
Matthews was particularly impressive, hitting 12 fours and four sixes in her unbeaten knock, but she lacked support from her teammates, with the next highest score just 13.
Australia’s bowlers were excellent, with Megan Schutt (3-26) and Darcie Brown (2-24) the pick of the attack.
Healy and McGrath shine in Australian victory
Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath were the stars of the show for Australia, with both players scoring half-centuries in the comfortable victory.
Healy was particularly aggressive, smashing three sixes and seven boundaries in her knock of 56 off 29 balls.
McGrath continued the good work after Healy’s dismissal, and she finished on 60 not out off 32 deliveries, with four fours and four sixes. Her unbeaten knock ensured that Australia reached the target without any further hiccups.
West Indies struggle with the bat
Matthews was particularly impressive, hitting 12 fours and four sixes in her unbeaten knock, but she lacked support from her teammates, with the next highest score just 13.
Australia’s bowlers were excellent, with Megan Schutt (3-26) and Darcie Brown (2-24) the pick of the attack. They bowled tight lines and lengths and took wickets at regular intervals, which put West Indies under pressure from the start.
In conclusion:
Australia made a dominant start to their international summer with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20 international in Sydney.
Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath were the stars of the show for Australia, with both players scoring half-centuries to chase down the target of 148 with ease.
West Indies struggled to get going with the bat, with only Hayley Matthews offering any real resistance. Australia’s bowlers were excellent, and they took wickets at regular intervals to put West Indies under pressure from the start.