ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2023
The quicks led the way as Australia romped to a seven-wicket World Cup win over India in their first of two Super Six games
Laura Jolly
22 January 2023, 01:42 AM AEST
@JollyLauz18
Australia have cruised to a crucial seven-wicket victory over tournament favourites India in the Under-19 T20 World Cup, thanks to a brilliant all-round display with bat and ball in Potchefstroom.
The Aussies needed to defeat the in-form and previously unbeaten India team in their first of two Super Six games to keep their tournament alive and they did so with aplomb, their pace attack leading the way as India were bowled out for 87.
Fiery Victorian quick Milly Illingworth (2-12) set the tone alongside Lucy Hamilton, before 15-year-old Maggie Clark (2-18) and Sianna Ginger (3-13) chimed in to rattle through the India line-up.
A typically aggressive Kate Pelle (17 off 13) gave Australia a solid start to the chase, but when opening partner Ginger (11) and then Pelle fell in quick succession, India sensed their chance.
Ella Hayward’s dismissal on seven left Australia 3-37, but a typically calm Amy Smith (26no) joined Claire Moore (25no) in the middle to steer Australia towards victory, the pair upping the ante as they drew near their goal, sealing victory in 13.5 overs.
Illingworth struck the vital early blow, removing India captain Shafali Verma for eight, caught by her opposite number Rhys McKenna at cover.
The right-armer then had a second when wicketkeeper Paris Hall took a brilliant one-handed diving catch to dismiss Gongadi Trisha (4).
Fellow pacer Clark bowled Sonia Mehdiya (2) with her first delivery, as India reached 3-31 at the end of the powerplay.
The dangerous Richa Ghosh (7) hit Clark back over her head for four but the 15-year-old responded two balls later, finding the edge of the senior India star’s bat with Hall taking a simple catch.
It left India 4-52 at 10 over mark, and the introduction of Ginger after drinks conjured the key with the wicket of opener Shweta Sehrawat, who was dismissed for the first time in the tournament when she was caught for 21 by Moore.
Ginger had a second in her second over, as Parshavi Chopra (8) miscued a short ball and a swift-moving Moore did the rest at mid-on, and as third when Mannat Kashyap (1) skied a chance that was pouched by Pelle.
Hayward and Rhys McKenna joined the wicket takers, before Smith and Hall combined for run out Sonam Yadav (1), India all out for 87 in 18.5 overs.
The win puts Australia level with India, South Africa and Bangladesh, all on four points in Super Six Group One.
"We had a bit of a rough start losing a couple of warm-up matches and our first game (against Bangladesh) but I think from that the girls have definitely bounced back and we're doing all the right work to play our best cricket, so keen to see what happens in the next game," captain McKenna said after the match.
Illingworth, who was named player of the match, said the Aussies' plans to India's star batters had worked.
"It was all pretty well planned, we all had plans coming in," said the 17-year-old from Port Campbell in south-west Victoria. "The pressure the bowlers built was really good, every delivery was where we wanted it to go."
South Africa fought back from 4-33 to claim a thrilling five-wicket win over Bangladesh on Saturday evening, reeling in their target of 106 with seven balls to spare.
Both results – where the second-ranked qualifiers from the group stage knocked over their undefeated opponents – have thrown the Super Six phase wide open, with each team still to play one game each.
Australia and Bangladesh will both play the UAE, while India and South Africa both play Sri Lanka.
ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023
Australia squad: Rhys McKenna (c),Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Paris Hall, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Eleanor Larosa, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Ananaya Sharma, Amy Smith, Ella Wilson.
Australia’s schedule
View the full schedule and standings here
January 14: Bangladesh beat Australia by seven wickets
January 16: Australia beat USA by nine wickets
January 18: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 108 runs
Super Six stage
January 21: Australia beat India by seven wickets
January 23: v UAE, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 1.45pm local (9.45pm AEDT)
* If Australia qualify:
Final: January 29, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 1.45pm local (10.45pm AEDT)
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