Australia defeats Pakistan, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney injury, video, highlights

Ellyse Perry starred as Australia moved closer to the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 113-run rout of lacklustre Pakistan on Tuesday.

Perry smashed 71 from 48 balls in Australia’s innings of 7-199 and took two wickets to help dismiss Pakistan for just 86.

It was her highest score in a T20I since December 2022.

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The 35-year-old combined with opener Georgia Voll (39 from 28 balls) for 100-run partnership for the second wicket, while fellow all-rounders Annabel Sutherland (27 from 18 balls) and Nicola Carey (26 not out from 13 balls) added valuable runs during the death overs.

Muneeba Ali scored 32 before she was caught at mid-wicket in Perry’s only over, while there were also three run outs as Pakistan imploded.

Sutherland and captain Sophie Molineux also took two wickets each during the pitiful run chase, with leg-spinner Georgie Wareham taking 1-2 from two overs.

However, Australia is sweating on the fitness of wicketkeeper Beth Mooney, who endured a painful 20 overs behind the stumps. The 32-year-old twice dislocated the middle finger of her right hand, receiving medical attention on both occasions.

It comes after Mooney retired hurt and handed over the wicketkeeping gloves to Georgia Voll during Saturday’s match against the Netherlands due to back soreness.

Australia’s second-choice wicketkeeper, opener Phoebe Litchfield is out of action with a quad injury, while travelling reserve Tahlia Wilson has yet to be added to the official squad.

Six-time T20 World Cup winners Australia have won all four of their group matches.

They face title rivals India on Sunday in a crucial clash in the battle for semi-final places.

Already eliminated from the tournament in England, Pakistan have lost all four of their group games.

Elsewhere, Scotland were eliminated after losing by six wickets to holders New Zealand who kept alive their faint hopes of defending the title.

Darcey Carter notched an unbeaten 72 as Scotland set New Zealand a target of 132.

But a century partnership from Izzy Sharp (62) and Brooke Halliday (41) ensured New Zealand cantered to victory in Bristol.

New Zealand still require help to reach the semi-finals, needing either England or the West Indies to lose both of their remaining matches.

England and West Indies meet before a must-win matchup for New Zealand against the tournament hosts.

Sri Lanka demolished Ireland, winning by nine wickets with 27 balls to spare in Bristol.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu compiled an unbeaten 106, the highest score of the tournament so far, to steer her side to an easy victory.

Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis top-scored with 59 in her side’s modest innings of 5-130.

Sri Lanka cruised to 1-134 thanks to the inspired Athapaththu, who blasted 17 fours and two sixes in a 61-ball masterclass.

Sri Lanka need to beat Scotland on Friday and hope other results go their way to secure a place in the semi-finals.

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