WT20: Day three wrap

[Glasgow]

The results

India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets

Australia defeated Ireland by nine wickets

The talking point

A total of 15 penalty runs were awarded across two matches at Guyana’s Providence Stadium on Saturday due to batters running on the protected area. The first two instances came in India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan, when after several warnings Pakistan were penalised five runs in the 18th over after Bismah Maroof ran onto the danger area. Then, on the final ball of the innings, new batter Sidra Nawaz was judged to have committed the same offence. It meant India were given a 0-10 head start in pursuit of Pakistan’s 7-133, a target they ultimately reached with an over remaining – despite also receiving a warning (but no penalty) for running on the wicket. In the day’s second match, Ireland were slapped with a five-run penalty after captain Laura Delany erred for a second time in running on the protected area.

The big news

The ICC has opted against moving Group A matches away from St Lucia, despite continual torrential rain. While Australia's base in Guyana for Group B matches has so far been unaffected, rain is forecast for the rest of the week in St Lucia. The ICC considered moving matches to Antigua, which will host the finals, but has since decided against the move, saying there was no guarantee of more cricket in a different location. "The rain currently forecast in Antigua would impact on our ability to prepare the playing surfaces for any relocated fixtures, as well as the playing of any subsequent matches,” ICC's head of events Chris Tetley said. The ICC is confident the weather will improve in St Lucia, despite 40 per cent more rain falling in the opening 10 days of November than the average monthly figure.

Quote of the day

“It’s a bit unusual, but I’m more surprised that we didn’t learn from it and the same with Pakistan. To do it once is criminal, but to do it twice is a bit of a brain explosion and we definitely should have learned from it.” – Ireland quick Kim Garth on the penalty runs.

The record

In the short space of 21 balls, eight fours and one six, Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy smashed the fastest half-century in the history of the tournament.

The upshot

Australia’s win inside 9.1 overs lifted them to the top of the Group B table on four points, ahead of India, also on four points but with an inferior net run rate.

Tomorrow’s action