The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 saw a memorable moment during the Australia vs Sri Lanka match on Saturday (October 5). Australian captain Alyssa Healy played a crucial role in Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s early dismissal with a perfectly timed sledge. The match, held in Sharjah, saw six-time champions Australia restrict Sri Lanka to 93 for 7, eventually chasing down the target with six wickets in hand.
Chamari’s Dismissal and Healy’s Sledge
In the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first, but their captain Chamari Athapaththu struggled to find her rhythm.
Batting with just three runs off 12 balls, Chamari was visibly out of touch. It was on the second ball of the fourth over when Healy, Australia’s wicketkeeper and captain, took matters into her own hands.
Healy cheekily sledged Chamari, saying, “Play a shot, Chamari,” after the Sri Lankan captain defended the first ball. This comment seemed to break Chamari’s concentration, as she attempted a sweep shot on the next ball bowled by Ashleigh Gardner but missed it entirely.
The ball struck her on the pads, and she was declared out leg-before-wicket (LBW). The video of this dismissal, shared by ICC on Instagram, quickly went viral, showcasing Healy’s tactical brilliance.
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Australia’s Dominant Performance
Australia dominated the game, with Megan Schutt taking three wickets and Sophie Molineux contributing with two key dismissals.
Sri Lanka’s batting collapse left them with a meagre target of 94 runs, which Australia chased down in just 14.2 overs.
Despite the loss, Chamari Athapaththu remains one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable players, having played a crucial role in their recent Asia Cup triumph over India.
The defeat marked Sri Lanka’s second loss in the tournament, following their earlier defeat to Pakistan. They will next face India on October 9, hoping to bounce back.
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