Beth Mooney has played down any concerns about her back injury after Australia crushed the Netherlands by 98 runs in Southampton. In reply to Australia’s 219 for six, the world No 14 side were restricted to 121 for three despite a brave effort from the associate nation.
Australia’s third win in succession has put them close to locking away a top-two berth in their group and a place in the semi-finals. But Mooney struck an unbeaten 74 from 42 deliveries before retiring hurt. Mooney did not look hampered in any way, having just struck Iris Zwilling for a six off two balls earlier before finishing the over by running a quick two.
Cricket Australia said Mooney was suffering from back stiffness, with the 32-year-old playing down the injury while receiving the player-of-the-match. “I’m all good, just precautionary,” she said. “I’m just not used to all the bus travel we’ve been doing. The Leeds to Southampton trip is a pretty long one.”
Ash Gardner (58 off 32 balls) and Georgia Wareham (41 from 18 balls) cracked plenty of boundaries, but it was Mooney who looked the most dangerous.
With fellow wicketkeeper option Phoebe Litchfield still sidelined with a quad injury and Mooney unable to operate behind the stumps in the Netherlands’ innings, Georgia Voll took the gloves and snared a sharp catch to her right in the second over to send Phebe Molkenboer packing for a duck.
Kim Garth picked up her second wicket a short time later as the Netherlands stumbled to 17 for two and were unable to mount anything close to a serious challenge after that. But the winless Netherlands were still left with plenty to smile about before their final group games against South Africa and Pakistan.
Their captain, Babette de Leede, struck an unbeaten 56 off 57 balls in her 100th T20i, while Sterre Kalis (44 off 43) also showed plenty of talent and defiance in a 96-run, third-wicket stand.
Lucy Hamilton was economical conceding 13 in four overs in her T20 World Cup debut, giving selectors food for thought as the six-time champions gear up for games against Pakistan and India.
Australia made a flying start after being sent in to bat, with Mooney and Voll finding boundaries at will as the scoreboard ticked over to 50 without loss after 4.3 overs before a wobble. Voll was the first to fall when she skied a fuller delivery for an easy catch.
Australia slipped to 51 for two when Ellyse Perry – making a record 50th T20 World Cup appearance – was caught in the deep for one after trying to whack spinner Heather Siegers for six.
Gardner, on her return from an ankle injury, was given a life on 25 and made the most of it by racing to her half-century off just 28 balls. Mooney hit nine fours and a six before leaving the field.
Geoff Lemon’s report follows shortly
