Healy stars again in Aussie T20 victory
ALYSSA Healy has whacked the fastest halfcentury in women’s World Twenty20 history, as she helped Australia make light work of Ireland in Guyana.
Healy was dominant as she reached 50 off 21 balls.
She finished unbeaten on 56 as Australia cruised to its target of 94 with nine wickets and 10.5 overs to spare.
Her 31-ball innings included nine boundaries and one massive six down the ground to bring up what was the second-fastest halfcentury in a women’s T20 international.
Only Sophie Devive’s knock for New Zealand against India in 2005 was quicker in international T20s, coming off only 18 balls.
Healy’s innings was her fifth half century in her past seven T20 innings, while she also hit 48 from 29 balls against Pakistan in Australia’s first match of the tournament.
Opening partner Beth Mooney was the only Australian wicket to fall against Ireland for 14, while Ellyse Perry finished not out on nine.
The win kept Australia at the top of Group B, with a win against either New Zealand or India in its next two matches likely to be enough to send it through to the semi-finals.
“In World Cup tournaments every match is really important, regardless of your opposition,” Perry said.
“If you want to be successful in these tournaments, I think you’ve got to play consistently well.
“And you’ve really got to nail the blueprint of play, I guess, that’s going to take you all the way.’’
Ireland was also controversially penalised five runs for Gaby Lewis and Laura Delany running down the centre of the wicket on consecutive balls as a crackdown continues in the tournament.
Adding insult to injury, Lewis was run out on the following ball, attempting a quick single, by Georgia Wareham.