The favourites are warming up nicely. Ellyse Perry rolled back the years with an unbeaten 64 to steer Australia to a five-wicket win over hosts England in their final Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff — a statement of intent from the tournament’s benchmark side.
Perry anchors the chase
Chasing 157, Australia made it look routine, getting home in just 18.2 overs with Perry’s measured 64 off 44 balls the backbone of the innings. It was vintage stuff from one of the sport’s greatest all-rounders: pacing the chase, absorbing pressure, and finishing the job with overs to spare. For Australia, top of the ICC T20I rankings, it was the kind of controlled performance that wins knockout tournaments.
England’s familiar wobble
The hosts will have mixed feelings. England recovered from a dreadful start — losing their top three inside the first five overs with just 19 on the board — to post a competitive 157 for 6, thanks to vital knocks from Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp. The fightback showed character, but the early collapse against quality bowling is exactly the kind of frailty a side cannot afford once the tournament begins.
Reading the warm-ups
Warm-ups do not count, but they reveal. Australia’s serene chase underlines why they are six-time champions and favourites again; England’s recovery hints at depth but also at a top order that can be exposed. With both sides tuning up at the same venue, the contrast in composure was instructive.
What’s next
Record six-time winners Australia begin their campaign against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 13. England, carrying home-crowd expectation, will want to iron out those top-order creases fast. Both will fancy deep runs, but on this evidence Australia look the more settled.
The bottom line
A classic Perry knock and a five-wicket stroll have Australia purring at just the right time. England showed fight but also a flaw. As the Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway, the team to beat looks every bit the part.
Photo: Rikx / BY-SA via flickr