Pace bowler Julie Hunter claimed 5-22, the best figures by an Australian in a women’s Twenty20 International, as the defending champions scored a 28-run win over West Indies in Friday’s World T20 knockout semi-final clash.
Soccer international Ellyse Perry was named player of the match after finishing with 2-19 and spinner Erin Osborne took 2-20 as Australia bowled the Windies out for 87 in 19.2 overs after scoring 7-115.
Australia will take on England as part of a double-header at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium on Sunday with the men’s game to follow between hosts Sri Lanka and Australia or West Indies (depending on the result of Friday night’s late game).
Seamer Perry claimed the key wickets of Stafanie Taylor (three) and Deandra Dottin (six), both bowled, while Hunter trapped Merissa Aguilleira lbw for two.
Shemaine Campbell (five) was run out after failing to ground her bat at the non-striker’s end as Perry attempted a caught and bowled and the ball rebounded onto the stumps at 4-28.
After top-scoring with 23 in Australia’s total of 7-115, offspinner Lisa Sthalekar conceded just six runs from her four overs in the West Indies’ innings.
Alex Blackwell took a diving catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Shanel Daley (25), who had shared a vital 48-run stand with opener Juliana Nero.
Nero, wearing a magnificent Richie Richardson-style Windies’ sunhat, was bowled by Hunter for 31 at 6-78.
The Windies lost their last six wickets for 11 runs.
Earlier, Windies’ spinners Daley and Shaquana Quintyne both took 2-23.
Sixteen-year-old legspinner Quintyne struck with her first delivery as Meg Lanning (19) chipped a catch to cover after Alyssa Healy had made a second-ball duck to Daley in the opening over.
Sthalekar played a steadying hand before holing out to deep mid-wicket at 4-68 and Quintyne claimed a second victim by pouching a return catch to dismiss Alex Blackwell (21).
Rachael Haynes (15) and Erin Osborne (1) were run out in the final over and skipper Jodie Field was unbeaten on 19.