Alyssa Healy celebrated her 250th appearance in international cricket in style, scoring a half-century as Australia defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the opening T20I of the international summer at North Sydney Oval.
Healy, who became the third Australian woman to play 250 international matches on Sunday, rode her luck and made the tourists pay after being given lives on 27 and 44. Her half-century came off just 25 balls as Australia passed the 100-mark in the ninth over.
Tahlia McGrath also scored a half-century (60no from 32 balls) to help Australia reach their target of 148 with 40 balls to spare.
Earlier, Hayley Matthews had powered West Indies to 3-147 after they were sent in by Australian skipper Healy. Matthews scored 99 not out off 74 balls, an innings that featured 12 fours and four sixes.
However, despite Matthews’ best efforts, West Indies were unable to defend their total, with Healy and McGrath putting on a match-winning 85-run partnership for the second wicket.
The two sides will meet again in the second T20I at North Sydney Oval on Monday night.
Key takeaways from the match:
- Alyssa Healy celebrated her 250th international appearance in style with a half-century.
- Tahlia McGrath also scored a half-century to help Australia chase down West Indies’ total of 147.
- Hayley Matthews scored 99 not out for West Indies, but her efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.
- Australia’s bowlers struggled to contain Matthews, but they were able to limit the rest of the West Indies batting line-up.
- Australia’s batting was clinical, with Healy and McGrath putting on a match-winning partnership.
Overall, it was a dominant performance from Australia in the opening T20I of the international summer. They will be looking to continue their winning ways in the second match on Monday night.
