Yet again a World T20 is upon is, this time the women’s arena taking centre stage. Australia will be out to go one better after finishing runners-up in 2016 and enter as favourites. Their quest begins against Pakistan. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7am (AEDT).
The Australians have a tremendous history in this tournament, having won three of the last five, and their recent form speaks volumes about the amount of talent on display.
The high-quality line-up contains weapons aplenty, including captain and gun batter Meg Lanning on her return from injury.
She will have ample support too as the remarkable bowling form of Megan Schutt sees her atop the ICC T20 bowling rankings, while the rest of the bowling attack in Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner have all grown in stature over the last 12 months.
The return of Jess Jonassen to the attack will be most welcomed. The class and experience of Lanning, Ellyse Perry and Rachael Haynes with the bat continue to propel the dominance shown by this team. It has been many of the younger players driving the resurgence in the T20 format.
For Pakistan, their tournament could not have started in a more challenging way.
Ranked 7th and having not passed the group stage in previous attempts, this could be an assignment of great difficulty. It could however, be the type of redefining win greatly needed if they can pull it off. Less than a fortnight ago, Pakistan suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the mercy of Australia in Malaysia.
The series reflected an inability to post sizable scores for the Pakistanis, as the Australians played simply on another level. Nonetheless, Bismah Maroof impressed upon her return, highlighting her batting prowess along with debutant Omaima Sohail, but it was Alyssa Healy who led the charge for the victors, named the player of the series.
Both sides won their respective practice hit-outs – Pakistan will take heart from sound performances beating South Africa and Bangladesh in their warm-up fixtures, however, this mountain will be a more difficult one to climb.
One to watch:
Australia
Several to pick from but it’s hard to overlook young left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, whose rapid rise this year has not gone unnoticed. To date, Molineux has a miserly bowling average of 14.5 from nine matches, and has proven to be a useful and versatile bat when required.
Pakistan
Sana Mir may no longer captain this side but this won’t make her any less of a threat. The off-spinner has a penchant for skilful, wicket-taking bowling in 50-over cricket, and her side will desperately hope she can transform this to T20 success.
Prediction
This is a hungry, aggressive Australian outfit that will take some beating in this tournament, and should easily have the quality across the board to win this one.
Join us on The Roar for the live scores and blog from 7am (AEDT).
When: Saturday, November 10 2018 – 7am (AEDT)
Where: Providence Stadium, Guyana, Caribbean
TV: Fox Sports, Nine Network
Match Odds: Australia: $1.03, Pakistan: $15
Australia
Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
Pakistan
Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Javeria Khan (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof, Sidra Nawaz.
AREH
Roar Guru
To recap: Australia: 5/165 (20) Healy 48 Mooney 48 Lanning 41 Riaz 2/25 (4) Sundhu 2/43 (4) Pakistan: 8/113 (20) Maroof 26 Mir 20* Omaima 20 Schutt 2/13 (4) Wareham 2/18 (4) Australia getting the job done with the ball and in the field, as Pakistan simply weren't able to find the boundary often enough. The task was well setup by Healy and Mooney earlier, both scoring quickly with aggressive displays, perhaps both unlucky not to reach half-centuries. Captain Meg Lanning continued the push later on, even if she took a little longer to get going. Pakistan possibly letting themselves down on occasions with sloppy fielding, not helping their cause. Only three Pakistani batters were able to pass 20, as this total seemed just a bridge too far. A fighting effort, but Australia were always going to be hard to beat. Coach Matthew Mott would have to be pleased with the work of his bowlers, particularly young spinners Molineux and Wareham, going at great economy rates and picking up three wickets between them. Strike bowler Megan Schutt was also at her best, claiming 2/13 at just 3.25 runs p/o. Player of the match: Alyssa Healy A fairly obvious choice after her quickfire 48, and four dismissals. 52 runs is a significant win by T20 standards. Australia have kicked off their campaign in the best possible manner, and join India with one from win in this group stage. Thanks to all those who tuned in, don't forget to leave your comments below! Cheers
AREH
Roar Guru
19.4 Schutt to Sundhu - no run 19.5 - left alone 19.6 Sundhu pushes this one away for no run, and that will do it for Australia! Pakistan: 8/113 (20) Australia HAVE WON this contest in Guyana by 52 runs Perhaps as most expected them to do so, but there is always the added pressure of a World Cup match. An ideal way to commence their tournament, as they prepare to face Ireland next up.
AREH
Roar Guru
Nashra st. Healy b Schutt 13 (15) FOW: 8/113 That ball has come off the pads of Healy, back onto the stumps to remove Nashra out of her ground. Amazing
AREH
Roar Guru
Final over to be bowled by Megan Schutt 19.1 Schutt to Mir - Dot ball 19.2 Mir flicks this away, they will only complete one run 19.3 Schutt to Nashra - Ball weirdly turns away outside off, called wide 19.3 And, what's happened here?! This could be another remarkable stumping from Healy.. Nashra already walking back
AREH
Roar Guru
18.1 Molineux to Mir - wide ball to start the over 18.1 Past the bowler from Mir for one run The left-arm spinner into her final over 18.2 Molineux to Nashra - Comes down the wicket, miscued shot to third-man for just one 18.3 Molineux to Mir - Attempts to pull hard, not timed and will just be one 18.4 Molineux to Nashra - Charges down the wicket, places it to long-off for one more 18.5 Molineux to Mir - Gets this out to the leg side for one 18.6 Molineux to Nashra - Can't pick this one up, no run Over 19 Pakistan: 7/111 Nashra 13* Mir 19* Final over to come 55 from six balls too big a task here for Pakistan
AREH
Roar Guru
Three overs left in the match now 17.1 Gardner to Nashra - Pitched over the leg side in field for one 17.2 Gardner to Mir - worked for one 17.3 Gardner to Nashra - Quick single taken 17.4 Gardner to Mir - Down the pitch, hit solidly but no run 17.5 This time Mir JUST clears the mid-off fielder, and picks up four runs 17.6 Unbelievable...Mir's attempted reverse sweep goes inside-out, missing the stumps, and Alyssa Healy. Over 18 Pakistan: 7/105
AREH
Roar Guru
16.1 Kimmence to Nashra - single taken 16.2 Kimmence to Mir - One run 16.3 Kimmence to Nashra - Hits a straight one to mid-off and they pick up a quick single 16.4 Kimmence to Mir - Well, that one gets through everyone again! Attempted paddle shot, and they run the bye 16.5 Kimmence to Nashra - Hit firmly deep to the leg side for one run 16.6 Kimmence to Mir - No run, can't get this one away Over 17 Pakistan: 7/97
AREH
Roar Guru
15.2 A little play and miss from Mir 15.3 Flicked away for one 15.4 Schutt to Nashra - Rocking back and pulling out to mid-wicket for one run 15.5 Schutt to Mir - Attempted reverse-sweep, it edges past Healy and runs away to the rope That could've been absolutely anything! 15.6 Mir plays it back to Schutt for no run Over 16 Pakistan 7/92 (74 runs to win)
AREH
Roar Guru
Does Mir have anything behind the line? Just Safe for the time being, NOT OUT plastered on the big screen
AREH
Roar Guru
Five overs to go Megan Schutt is back 15.1 Schutt to Mir - There is a shout here, particularly from Healy who is keeping brilliantly. This has been sent upstairs.. This looks very close for the stumping
AREH
Roar Guru
Wareham continues to start the 15th over 14.1 Wareham to Nashra - Single to mid-off 14.2 Wareham to Mir - Some spin, worked to the leg side but only one run available 14.3 Wareham to Nashra - No shot offered in the end, dot ball 14.4 Chipped down to long-off, a single taken 14.5 Wareham to Mir - defensive stroke, quick run collected 14.6 Wareham to Nashra - Nashra gets plenty on this sweep shot, but Gardner does very well in the deep to haul that in. Over 15 Pakistan: 7/86
AREH
Roar Guru
Not going to get it done now you wouldn't imagine, as Australia edge closer to wrapping this match up
AREH
Roar Guru
Nashra is out there but won't be on strike 13.5 Gardner to Mir - one run 13.6 Gardner to Nashra - Down the ground for one Over 14 Pakistan: 7/80
AREH
Roar Guru
Gardner continues 13.1 Gardner to Maroof - they pick up two runs 13.2 Maroof sweeps for just a single 13.3 Gardner to Mir - Turned through mid wicket for one Mir is away from her first delivery 13.4 Gardner to Maroof -WICKET- Down the track, miscued shot skies to point, and Pakistan's likely last hope in Bismah Maroof, is out Maroof c Wareham b Gardner 26 (25) FOW 7/78
AREH
Roar Guru
Sana Mir is in at number 8 13 overs completed Pakistan: 6/74
AREH
Roar Guru
Aliya is out there now 12.3 Wareham to Aliya - Single sees Aliya Riaz off the mark 12.4 Wareham to Maroof - Another single 12.5 Wareham to Aliya - Attempted cut shot, misses out 12.6 Attempted cut shot again, this time Aliya Riaz DOES nick it, and Alyssa Healy claims another dismissal. All unravelling here for Pakistan, the wickets continue to tumble too often. Wareham gets her second for the over Aliya c Healy b Wareham 1 (3) FOW: 6/74
AREH
Roar Guru
Georgia Wareham back 12.1 Wareham to Maroof - Another single, turned away through square leg 12.2 Wareham to Dar - Dar comes down the track and effectively keeps walking, GONE Wareham is into the wicket column, Healy completes her second stumping for the innings. Dar st. Healy b Wareham 4 (7) FOW: 5/72
AREH
Roar Guru
Pakistan need 97 from 54 balls to complete this chase. Kimmence continues.. 11.1 Kimmence to Dar - down the ground for one 11.2 Kimmence to Maroof - Wide outside off, and a legal ball. Clever bowling in the end 11.3 Maroof spoons a drive but not enough to get a run 11.4 Maroof advances, nice strike down to long-off for a single They will need to deal in boundaries from here on 11.5 Kimmence to Dar - can't get that one away 11.6 Similar, Dar unable to lay bat on ball Over 12 Pakistan 4/71 Pakistan will need to go at almost two runs per ball from here Australia's bowling and fielding has been generally very tidy
AREH
Roar Guru
Dar comes out to the middle 10.2 Molineux to Dar - one run to start her innings 10.3 Molineux to Maroof - knocks this to short fine leg for one 10.4 Molineux to Dar - Quick single from the bat of Dar takes her to two from as many balls 10.5 Molineux to Maroof - Advancing, only able to get this through square leg for a single Very useful over for Australia so far 10.6 Molineux to Dar - gets this away for a single Over 11 Pakistan: 4/69 Going to take something special to get this done
AREH
Roar Guru
Sophie Molineux is back.. 10.1 Molineux to Javeria - Advancing, missing and Alyssa Healy completes the stumping! (I think..) Yes, Javeria, the captain is gone. Javeria st. Healy b Molineux 9 (14) FOW: 4/64 She may have slightly fumbled that one behind the stumps, but still had plenty of time to whip the bails off. A big result for Australia sees the Pakistani captain gone