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Australia stamped their claim as top contenders for an unprecedented seventh Women’s T20 World Cup crown. Their dominant performance saw them crush South Africa by 65 runs in the competition’s opening major showdown on Saturday. The win came through sheer force, not luck.

Power surged early, setting a total too steep to chase. Every department delivered, batting fired, then bowling slammed the door shut. This wasn’t just strong; it felt inevitable. Momentum now swings firmly behind them.

Out front at Old Trafford, Australia stumbled first but found footing again, finishing on 172 for 8. Soon after, their spin bowlers took charge, and South Africa folded by 107. This win washed away the sting from a semifinal exit handed by the same team just two years earlier.

On June 21, South Africa, coming second in the past two editions, must beat India or see their chance at the semis disappear. A surprise unfolded in Southampton when the West Indies crushed title holders New Zealand by seven wickets. Over in another match, Scotland reached a milestone, topping Ireland by 40 runs, their first win ever at a Women’s T20 World Cup.

Phoebe Litchfield and Wareham Lead Australia’s Charge

Phoebe Litchfield stepped in when things went quiet early. She’d been out with a tight quad but showed up just as Georgia Voll left without scoring. Not long after that, Beth Mooney walked back too. Then everything shifted.

Barely slowed by early stumbles, Litchfield came charging out, targeting Marizanne Kapp, then shifting focus to Shabnim Ismail, later pressing hard against Ayabonga Khaka, driving through pulls, flipping with scoops, rotating via sweeps. Her fifty arrived in just 23 deliveries, a burst that reignited Australia’s chase before her eventual dismissal cut short the surge.

Pacing slowed for Australia, yet Perry held firm alongside Wareham. Their stand through the middle spells rebuilt rhythm – fifty-eight shared runs shifting balance. That partnership lifted the score towards 172, just enough to feel challenging.

South Africa struggled to build any real rhythm with the bat. Off to a shaky start at 7 for 2, hope came through Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk steadying things. Momentum shifted when Wareham struck, dismissing de Klerk cleanly with a delivery. Soon after, she played a part in Kapp’s dismissal – run out in a sharp fielding move.

A sharp knock of 44 off 39 came from Wolvaardt, yet right after clearing the rope against Sophie Molineux, she was gone on the following ball. Then everything unraveled, five wickets tumbled while only adding 11 more.

A sudden burst from Australia’s spinners snared eight wickets in total. Wareham stood apart – her figures of 3 for 13 sharp, her hands busy with a catch, feet swift in a run-out.

“(Captain) Soph’s been awesome, instilling a lot of freedom within the group and making us believe we are a good team and can take on this tournament,” Wareham said.

Campbell’s Maiden Fifty Stuns New Zealand

In Southampton, the West Indies chased 163 to knock out defending title holders New Zealand, winning by seven wickets. The upset stunned many who had counted them out before a ball was bowled.

A sudden spark lit up the field when Shemaine Campbelle stepped in, unfazed by past numbers. Her 90 not out came from just 62 deliveries, calm yet fierce under pressure. Though she’d never crossed fifty across 122 earlier matches, this time felt different. Moments like these don’t always follow logic – hers arrived with quiet dominance.

Campbell made it past a wrong lbw call at 25, then stayed calm after a slip in the field let her off at 44. Her fifty came with flair, no flash, just clean strikes piling up. Meanwhile, next to her, Captain Hayley Matthews kept things steady, getting to 48 even though chances were spilled more than once. Together they built 74, each run quite proof that patience sometimes beats perfection.

West Indies made it over the finish line with two deliveries left, thanks to added support from Deandra Dottin, along with Jahzara Claxton. While they weren’t alone in lifting the team, their roles stood out when runs were tight. Moments like these often hinge on quiet contributions, hers arrived just in time.

“I just backed my skills,” Campbell said. “I know the caliber of player I am and that I can change the situation.”

New Zealand struggled hard, spilling six chances and fumbling balls more than once. Instead of celebrating her milestone, Melie Kerr watched her century match bring only five runs. The bowlers never found rhythm either, failing to tighten up when chasing a modest target like 162.

Izzy Gaze led the scoring with 39. Then came Brooke Halliday at 40, followed by Maddy Green who stayed not out on 35. On another note, Aaliyah Alleyne stood tall with the ball for West Indies – her spell ending at 4 wickets down, just 27 runs given.

Bryce sisters script history for Scotland

Scotland opened their Women’s T20 World Cup account with a convincing 40-run victory over Ireland.

Two early wickets fell during the power play. Then Kathryn Bryce, the team’s leader, joined her younger sibling Sarah at the crease. A steady flow built between them, neither rushing nor faltering. Their shared effort reached 106 runs, shifting the game completely. This was something new; Scotland had never seen a hundred-run pair here before in a Women’s T20 World Cup.

A ball too soon ended Sarah’s rhythm at 49, reached in 35 knocks. Kathryn carved through the line with 60 crisp hits from 39 throws. Scotland settled at 161 wickets down five. “Kathryn and I know each other well,” Sarah said with a smile. “It’s nice working together.”

From the start, Ireland struggled to build momentum. Right away, Kathryn Bryce took a wicket in the first over. Then came Rachel Slater, whose tight bowling made things even tougher. Pressure built quickly under her careful delivery.

Spinner Kristie Gordon tore into the heart of the batting lineup with three quick wickets in one game-changing over. Not far behind, Katherine Fraser picked up three dismissals of her own, each delivery adding pressure. Meanwhile, Kathryn Bryce slipped in two more breakthroughs, steady but sharp. All of it stacked together sent Ireland tumbling to just 121 all out.

Weekend eyes swing towards a heated cricket clash when India meets Pakistan, though earlier, Bangladesh plays the debutants, the Netherlands. Saturday’s spotlight shifts as two teams step into the arena, yet one matchup carries years of tension. Not just any game unfolds then – history rides alongside each delivery bowled under pressure.