WWC: Updated points table following the Bangladesh vs. Australia match. Beth Mooney led her team to a victory over Bangladesh in Australia’s final game before the semi-finals.
Australia is unbeaten in the group stage of the Women’s World Cup 2022, having won seven matches in a row and finishing the league stage as table leaders. In their most recent match, they defeated debutants Bangladesh by five wickets with 65 balls remaining. Bangladesh did scare them a little at first, but Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 66 got them out of trouble.
With rain delaying the toss and reducing the game to 43-over-a-side, play between Australia and Bangladesh began late in the day at the Basin Reserve. The Australians were playing their final league game before moving on to the semi-finals. Their performance in the previous six games had elevated them to the top of the championship race.
Everyone predicted the outcome, but no one predicted the twists. Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. The venue’s wind conditions were a major disadvantage for both teams, but Bangladesh’s task was made even more difficult by the fact that this was their first World Cup appearance.
Also Read: WWC: Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed Make Bangladesh History
Beth Mooney keeps her team from collapsing as Australia maintains their winning streak.
The Australians limited Bangladesh to 135/6 in 43 overs in what appeared to be an easy win for the chasers. The second half of the game, however, unleashed an unseen Bangladeshi side, who put on a great bowling display against the Aussies. The skipper, Salma Khatun, dismissed Australia’s top order minutes into the game, as they struggled at 28/3 after ten overs.
Within a few minutes of the game, Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, and captain Meg Lanning were all out. Lanning hadn’t expected to be fired on her birthday for an eight-ball duck. In addition, Nahida Akter successfully picked up Tahlia McGrath’s wicket, leaving the Aussies at 41/4 at the end of the 13th over. Beth Mooney saved her team from a disastrous defeat by anchoring them to the much-anticipated victory. Australia’s winning streak in one-day internationals now stands at 19 matches.
Notably, Australia and South Africa advanced to the semi-finals, taking the first and second spots, respectively. Before the knockout stage, three more matches must be played. The race for third and fourth place is still ongoing. India, the West Indies, and England are the three main contenders. India and England will pour their blood, toil, tears, and sweat into their final games, while the West Indies, having completed all of their league games, will simply hope for the best.
WWC points table for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022
Also Visit: In the Women’s World Cup, Australia defeats Bangladesh.