Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia beat India to qualify for semi-finals

Australia have been imperious in the tournament so far, but their preparations for this game were hampered by injuries to Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck.

Fast bowler Vlaeminck is out of the tournament with a dislocated shoulder but Healy – who arrived at the stadium on crutches – has not been ruled out and will continue to have a foot injury assessed.

But such is Australia’s strength in depth those injuries failed to disrupt their seemingly unstoppable march towards a seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.

The Southern Stars were reduced to 17-2 when Renuka Singh Thakur removed Beth Mooney and Georgia Wareham in successive balls, only for Harris and McGrath put on 62 for the third wicket.

Another wobble saw Australia slip from 79-2 to 101-5 but Perry and Phoebe Litchfield, whose 15 from nine balls included a booming six over square leg, helped them finish with a flourish.

India began aggressively and reached 41-2 at the end of the powerplay, ahead of where Australia were at the same stage.

They were smothered by Australia’s spinners in the middle overs before a fourth-wicket partnership worth 63 between Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma, who hit 29 from 25, raised hopes of a spectacular win.

Despite falling just short, India could still reach the semi-finals. But if they are eliminated it will be their performances earlier in the tournament and not here that did the damage.