Australia has cruised through their two warm up matches in the UAE against England and the West Indies, ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The Aussies took apart their Ashes rivals by 33 runs, but it was the West Indies match that proved a to be a bit “grittier”.
And against the Windies, it was Annabel Sutherland who starred in the 35-run victory.
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She collected 38 and took 2-2.
This practice match wasn’t an easy feat, with the Aussies forced to scrap with the bat in hand, following a scintillating start by the Windies.
The West Indies at one stage stood at 1-92, as they chased 145 for victory.
That was before Tayla Vlaeminck and Alana King ripped through their batting order, sparking a horrific collapse of 9-17.
Vlaeminck took 3-33, while King finished the job with 4-30.
Sutherland top scored for Australia with bat in hand and she was happy to tick off another victory ahead of an important tournament.
“It was nice to get some time out in the middle personally,” Sutherland said post victory.
“I think it was one of the grittier performances for the team to hang in there, and for the lower order to get a chance out in the middle, I think that’s pretty vital in a praccy match.
“The bowlers were put under the pump at different stages but I thought we adapted really well and then got a run of momentum and capitalised.”
The attention now turns to Australia’s first match of the Women’s T20 World Cup, taking on Sri Lanka on Saturday night (AEST).
And the team will have to rely on the experience gained from their two warm up matches, as they’ll not get a chance to see or train on Sharjah Cricket Stadium ahead of time.
“(Experiencing) the conditions was a big one, and that sharing of information, and learning to adapt,” Sutherland said.
“We’re in new conditions that we haven’t really played in as a group before,” Sutherland said.
The World Cup is being held in the United Arab Emirates.
Australia Women’s T20 World Cup fixture
Saturday, October 5: v Sri Lanka, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 8pm (AEST)
Tuesday, October 8: v New Zealand, Sharjah Cricket Stadium,(1am October 9, AEDT)
Friday, October 11: v Pakistan, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, (1am October 12, AEDT)
Sunday, October 13: v India, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, (1am October 14, AEDT)