CAPE TOWN: Reigning champions and heavy tournament favourites Australia fell to a shock three-wicket defeat against Ireland in a Women’s Twenty20 World Cup warm-up game in Stellenbosch on Wednesday.

Half-centuries from Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath powered Australia to 168-5 in their innings, but Ireland chased down the target with two balls to spare.

Captain Laura Delany top-scored with 32, as three other batters made more than 20.

Australia,  the world’s number one team in the format, have won five of the seven Women’s Twenty20 World Cups. They begin their tournament against New Zealand in the southwestern South African town of Paarl on Saturday.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 09 2023

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