Ellyse Perry has once again been hailed for her inspirational leadership and outstanding performance, underlining her cricketing greatness as Australia powered into the T20 World Cup semi-finals by knocking out their fiercest rivals, India, with a six-wicket victory at Lord's.
Perry's Masterclass Leads Record Chase
The allrounder, widely regarded as women's cricket's greatest of all time and still flourishing at 35, struck a superb 56 off 38 balls and shared in a 100-run stand off just 59 deliveries with fellow half-centurion Ash Gardner. Together, they guided Australia to the highest successful chase in the tournament's history, reaching 4-172 with an over to spare after India had posted 4-170.
Sophie Molineux's side earned their fifth straight win to set up a semi-final at the Oval against the West Indies on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST). The victory carried extra significance as it avenged last year's ODI World Cup semi-final defeat to India.
India's Hopes Dashed Despite Strong Start
India needed to win in front of a record crowd of 27,163 at the home of cricket, which included Indian great Virat Kohli, to book their own semi-final place. However, their defeat means South Africa, who finished second in group one after a four-wicket win over Bangladesh, will play unbeaten hosts England in the other semi-final on Thursday (Friday AEST).
India had fancied their chances after captain Harmanpreet Kaur's blistering 56 off 27 balls, including three consecutive sixes in the final over off Molineux. Australia's fielding became ragged under pressure, with Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham, and Phoebe Litchfield all spilling boundary catches as India added 38 runs in the final two overs.
Perry's Rallying Call Inspires Team
At the heart of Australia's success was Perry, playing in her 10th T20 World Cup and seeking a seventh winner's medal. After India's innings, she gathered the team in a huddle and delivered a message of confidence. Skipper Molineux revealed: 'Pez brought them in and said 170 is very, very gettable. Her actions spoke louder than words as she just led from the front, her and Ash. It was great.'
Perry proved the rock in Australia's record-breaking reply after Beth Mooney (22 off 20) and Litchfield (24 off 25) provided a solid start. Perry hit eight boundaries in her 56, while Gardner struck three sixes and three fours in her unbeaten 53 before Wareham hit the winning boundary.
South Africa Celebrate Australia's Win
Australia's victory was particularly welcomed by the South African women's team, who stayed at Lord's to see if they would earn a semi-final spot. 'I never thought I'd be supporting the Aussies — but go Aussies!' South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt said with a smile after their win over Bangladesh.
Despite a short two-day turnaround, Australia will be strongly fancied to defeat the West Indies, whom they trounced in a warm-up match in Cardiff, and qualify for the final next Sunday back at Lord's.
