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It’s nine matches and three-and-a-half long years since New Zealand’s White Ferns last defeated Australia’s women in any form of cricket — yet Alyssa Healy’s side are very wary of old rivals who’ve started the T20 World Cup “playing out of their skin”.

Inspired by big-hitting veteran captain Sophie Devine, the Kiwis’ thumping of India in Dubai in their opening group A game has proved the stand-out performance of the tournament so far.

With Australia next up in Sharjah on Tuesday following the defending champions’ own assured start with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka, victory will go a long way to helping one of the trans-Tasman rivals book their place in the semi-finals in what looks much the more competitive of the two groups

“Obviously, they played out of their skin and really attacked the Indian team,” said Australian spinner Sophie Molineux, enthusing about the Kiwis’ opening statement win.

“So I think the way we’ll approach it won’t be too dissimilar to how we approach every game, and that’s to come out with intensity.”

“Pretty cool,” added Megan Schutt, who like Molineux shone in Australia’s first contest.

“It opens up the tournament completely and shows if you have a lot of intent at the start what that can do in the powerplay. So, it’ll be a great match.

“We’ve obviously just come off a series against them in Australian conditions, but it’ll be an even tougher match up here.”

In slow, stifling conditions which have led to a slew of low-scoring contests, New Zealand’s 4-160 against much-touted India last Friday was the biggest score by far so far in the tournament, 42 runs more than any other side batting first.

Much came down to the late impetus of a 36-ball unbeaten 57 from veteran Devine, one of just two players along with teammate Suzie Bates who’ve featured in all nine editions of the tournament.

In the recent T20 series between the two sides in Australia, the home side’s clean sweep — winning by five wickets, 29 runs and then five wickets again — hardly bodes well for New Zealand.

But after the win over India, 35-year-old Devine was adamant that the result was overdue for a side which had been playing well but just hadn’t been having the best of luck. “The cricket gods decided to be with us today,” she said of the India win.

“Obviously, the conditions are very different to where we played them back in Australia,” said Molineux, of the low, slow track that awaits.

“But again it’s just about adapting, and they’ve obviously had a really good win so they’re going to come in on a high, and hopefully we can carry on our momentum as well.”

AAP

Pace star Megan Schutt equalled a record before opener Beth Mooney produced a steadying knock as Australia opened their T20 World Cup title defence with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka.

Schutt snared 3-12 off four overs to restrict Sri Lanka to 7-93 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

In reply, Australia slumped to 2-14 and then 3-35 as Alyssa Healy (4), Georgia Wareham (3) and Ellyse Perry (17) all departed.

Mooney helped settle the ship with an unbeaten 43 off 38 balls, guiding Australia to victory with 34 balls to spare.

After winning the toss and electing to bat at Sharjah on Saturday, Sri Lanka slumped to 2-6 in the fourth over and never recovered as Australia’s star-studded attack turned the screws.

Spinner Sophie Molineux finished with 2-20 from her four overs, but it was Schutt who proved the trickiest to handle.

Schutt snared the scalp of opener Vishmi Gunaratne for a duck in the third over to kick-start Australia’s dominant display.

The 31-year-old claimed another two wickets in the final over, lifting her overall wicket tally in T20 world cups to 43.

That equals the mark set by South African Shabnim Ismail, who retired from international cricket last year.

Nilakshi de Silva top-scored for Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 29 off 40 balls, while Harshitha Samarawickrama (23 off 35 balls) and Anushka Sanjeewani (16) were the only other batters to make it into double figures.

Australia opted against playing a fourth spinner, instead selecting fast bowler Darcie Brown.

The 21-year-old endured a tough outing, bowling three no-balls and a wide in her first and only over.

That meant that after just one legal delivery, Brown had figures of 0-10.

Brown finished with 0-12, and also dropped a simple catch in the field.

Georgia Wareham (1-21), Molineux and Ashleigh Gardner (1-14) were picked as Australia’s spinning trio, and they all performed well.

Australia’s run chase started in poor fashion, with Healy clean bowled and Wareham run out via a brilliant direct hit from Kavisha Dilhari.

Mooney ensured the early loss of wickets would only be a fleeting worry, producing a solid knock to help get Australia out of trouble.

The 30-year-old was gifted a life on 22 when she was dropped in the deep, but apart from that she seemed in complete control.

Australia, who are aiming for a fourth consecutive T20 World Cup crown, will be back in action on Tuesday when they take on New Zealand.

Sri Lanka, who are now 0-2 after losing to Pakistan and Australia, will be fighting to stay alive when they take on India on Wednesday.

AAP