Australia's Megan Schutt bowls during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates. (AP)

 SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, Oct 5, (AP): Australia began its title defense at the Women’s T20 World Cup with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Saturday. Medium pacer Megan Schutt picked 3-12 in four overs, while left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux took 2-20, as Sri Lanka was restricted to 93-7 in 20 overs.

In reply, Beth Mooney led Australia’s charge as it overhauled the total in only 14.2 overs. It was down to 35-3 at one stage, but Mooney scored 43 not out off 38 balls to lead her side to victory.  Opting to bat, Sri Lanka suffered crucial early blows. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was out lbw to Ashleigh Gardner for just three runs. Schutt and Molineux then combined to hit the top-order hard, as Sri Lanka was down to 25-3 in 6.4 overs.

Nilakshi de Silva scored 29 not out off 40 balls, while Harshitha Madavi scored 23 runs. Their 31-run partnership for the fourth wicket saved the Asian champions some embarrassment. Molineux broke that partnership in the 13th over, and then Sri Lanka went down to 89-7 within another 6.2 overs. Its innings struggled on either side of that partnership, thus finishing with a below-par total. In reply, Australia’s top-order struggled as well.

Skipper Alyssa Healy was dismissed for four, while Georgia Wareham was run out for three runs. When Sugandika Kumari bowled Ellyse Perry for 17 in the sixth over, there was some trouble. But Mooney dug in deep and found support from Gardner, who put in 12 runs. Together they added 43 off only 40 balls as Australia sped up its chase in the second half. Sri Lanka has now lost both its opening matches in Group A and is nearly out of contention from advancing to the semifinals.