That's it from this game! Australia make it 7/7 but boy, were made to toil hard. Bangladesh must be proud of this performance and this should give them the confidence to do well in the World stage in the future. We will be back with another league match on 26th March, Saturday as New Zealand Women take on Pakistan Women. That match will begin at 3.30 am IST (10 pm GMT, previous day) but the build-up will begin well in advance. Do join us for that. Until then, cheers!
Meg Lanning, the skipper of Australia, is in for a chat. She says that the conditions were very tough and the hardest she has played in. Mentions that Bangladesh played extremely well and put them under pressure but it was all about finding a way to get a win. Tells that Mooney and Sutherland did well to get them over the line. Adds that they will settle down now in the next couple of days before regathering focus for the semi-finals.
Nigar Sultana, the Bangladesh Women's skipper, is in for a chat. She says, she is really proud about the performances the girls pulled out. Adds, they would still love to work on their batting, as she feels they were 30-40 runs short. Mentions, Jahanara Alam was finding it difficult to steam in with the breeze blowing across. She later put all her money on the spinners and that did work for them initially. Mentions it was difficult to execute the fielding changes with the left-right combination at the crease.
Beth Mooney wins the Man of the Match award for her exceptional day with the blade. She says, that it was really tough, they were discussing it out there. Tells that Bangladesh bowled extremely well and put them under the pump. Adds that she feels extremely lucky to be playing for an elite team like Australia. Says that Sutherland is an intelligent cricketer and has the skill set to play for as long as she wants to.
Stay tuned for presentation...
Bangladesh Women gave it their all! After batting in tough conditions. Bangladesh bowlers' did not let the game slip away easily. It was the spin attack which did the trick for Bangladesh Women early on. Salma Khatun was the pick of the bowlers by picking up three wickets. All three were huge wickets, as it included the top-order of the Australian attack. Although, the bowlers failed to trouble Beth Mooney at the crease. There were also a couple of dropped chances in the field. The result could've been different if those catches were completed. Later, Rumana Ahmed and Nahida Akter also took a wicket apiece but they could not keep the run rate in check. Another spirited performance from Bangladesh, but they didn't post enough on the total and eventually, ended up on the losing side
A horrific start for Australia in their final league game. It was their lower order who stepped up to the occasion, when it mattered the most. Meg Lanning got the birthday gift she did not deserve, as she got sent back on an 8-ball duck. Australia Women were rattled a bit at 70/5, but Beth Mooney made sure that there are no more hiccups for her side. She also wasn’t aware when he racked-up a half ton. Mooney did not celebrate at all. She had her eyes only on one thing and that was to take her side over the victory line. Annabel Sutherland supported her well from the other end and made sure that Australia go into the semis undefeated.
What a game did we just witness! Before Australia came out to chase, everyone though it would be a cakewalk for them to chase down a target of 136 runs. Although, that was not the case this time. Bangladesh put up a performance of their lifetime against a top ODI side of Australia. This was also the first ever encounter in an ODI game for the two sides. Never looked like it though.
In over# 33
1
Rumana Ahmed 35/1(8.1)
32.1
1
Annabel Sutherland hits the winning runs! Full and outside off, Annabel Sutherland plays it down to long on for a single. Australia Women stay undefeated in the group stage. They win by 5 wickets!
In over# 32
0
2
4
1
0
1
Nahida Akter 33/1(5)
31.6
.
Short and on off, worked to covers.
31.5
2
Two! Flatter ball, outside off. Beth Mooney looks to cut it late. The ball goes off the outside edge to third man. Nigar Sultana fails to grab a sharp catch and the batters come back for the second run. Scores level!
31.4
4
FOUR! Just wide of mid off! Tossed up, outside off. Beth Mooney charges down and lifts it towards mid off. The ball goes past her and races away to the long off fence. Just 3 needed now!
31.3
1
Full and on middle, Annabel Sutherland shimmies down and works it to long on for one.
31.2
.
Flatter and quicker, on off. Annabel Sutherland blocks it out.
31.1
1
Floats it up, on off. Beth Mooney dabs it to point for a quick single.
In over# 31
1
1
0
1
1
2
Rumana Ahmed 34/1(8)
30.6
1
Flighted ball, outside off. Beth Mooney drives it to extra cover and retains the strike with a single.