Wareham, Lanning make light work of Bangladesh as Australia win two in a row
Lanning and Healy played great knocks [Twitter]
Australia made light work of a small target as the defending champions cruise past against Bangladesh women by 8 wickets on Wednesday (IST).
On a track was on the slower side, Georgia Wareham showed her magic skills and picked up 3 crucial wickets to derail Bangladesh' momentum. In reply, Australia lost Beth Mooney early, but Alyssa Healy and skipper Beth Mooney made sure that their side go past the winning line with relative ease.
Talking points from the game
Brown strikes early
After winning the all-important toss, Bangladesh decided to bat first, but got off to a horror start as Darcie Brown made the Bangladesh openers dance to her beats. The Aussie pacer wreaked havoc and picked up the wickets of Shamima Sultana (1), and Murshida Khatun (7), as the Asian side were reeling at 11 for 2 inside three overs.
Nigar Sultana fights a lone battle
With wickets tumbling at regular intervals, someone had to resurrect the Bangladesh innings, and Nigar Sultana did just that. She fought a brave battle and looked unfazed against a quality Aussie attack. Sultana used the crease to her advantage and found the gaps to perfection as the 25-year-old scored a brisk 50-ball 57 to guide Bangladesh to 107.
Wareham picks 3 crucial wickets
After getting two wickets in the early burst, Wareham joined Brown and picked up the wicket of Sabhana Mastary. And just when a little partnership was developing between Sultana and Shorna Akter, Wareham returned back in the attack and got the prized scalp of Akter.
Four runs later, she knocked over the stumps of Rumana Ahmed as Bangladesh lost the little momentum they had with them.
Healy-Lanning steady the ship
Once again, Beth Mooney failed to deliver, but Alyssa Healy and skipper Meg Lanning made sure that no further damage was done. The wicket slowed down considerably and stroke-making was difficult, but Australia batted with a lot of composure, and got close to the target. But Healy departed for a well-crafted 36-ball 37.
But the highest bid player in the Women's Premier League, Ashleigh Gardner, alongside Lanning guided the defending champions past the winning line, with 10 balls to spare.
Lanning remained unbeaten on 48.
Brief Score
Bangladesh women: 107-7 (20)
Nigar Sultana 57 (50), Shorna Akter 12 (27);
Georgia Wareham 3-20 (4), Darcie Brown 2-23 (4)
Australia women: 111-2 (18.2)
Meg Lanning 48* (49), Alyssa Healy 37 (36);
Shorna Akter 1-12 (2), Marufa Akter 1-19 (4)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
