Defending champions Australia cruise to opening win over Sri Lanka

Having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 93/7 in the first innings, opener Beth Mooney anchored the chase as Australia eased to a six-wicket win in their first match of the tournament.

Megan Schutt (3/12) and Sophie Molineux (2/20) starred with the ball, and Australia’s deep batting line-up always looked in control with the bat, even with high temperatures taking a toll, as Mooney’s unbeaten 38-ball 43* saw them home with 5.4 overs remaining.

The result leaves Sri Lanka with zero points after two matches and in real trouble in Group A, with fixtures against India and New Zealand.

After three wickets left Australia with work to do after the powerplay in their chase of 94, Beth Mooney played the key hand with the bat.

Alyssa Healy (4) and Georgia Wareham (3) went early, before Ellyse Perry lit a fire under the innings with a quickfire 17 before being cleaned up by Suqandika Kumari, leaving her side at 35/3, still clear favourites but not having it all their way.

Fast scoring proved tricky for Australia, but with such a modest target there was little pressure, and the game was effectively won by the time Ashleigh Gardner lobbed up a catch to depart for 12 (15).

The match ended in a hurry as Phoebe Litchfield joined in with a run-a-ball 9, helping top-scorer Mooney (43*) get to the winning post with more than five overs remaining and six wickets still in hand.