India made a firm statement with a comprehensive victory over South Africa, while Australia thumped the West Indies in their warm-ups for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in Cardiff.
After putting all-round performance, led by Bharti Fulmali’s unbeaten fifty and a clinical bowling show from Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav, India trampled West Indies by 26 runs. India scored 179 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs after electing to bat first with most of the top order getting starts but no one went on to make a big score.
It was followed by a blistering 39 from stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana and a brisk 29 off 13 from Shafali Verma. The duo gave the India a brisk start scoring 59 runs for the first wicket in less than six overs. However, Yastika Bhatia and Fulmali added a pivotal partnership before wobble in the middle order. Bhatia scored 36 and Fulmali, on his international debut, finished not out at half-century mark (56) to anchor the latter parts of their innings that left India with a challenging score. The pick of the bowler was West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher, who finished with four wickets
West Indies started off on a positive note in reply as Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle put up 63 runs for the first wicket. Although Dottin made 49 and looked dangerous, India’s spinners crept into the control of the game. Patil bagged four important wickets, while Radha took 3 as West Indies finished at 153 for 8 to meet with their target of chasing the above total down by additional stomach and left short to reach the score by amassing additional runs — being bowled out itself.
In another warm-up game, Australia won against England by five wickets. England got off to a horrid start after being asked to bat first slipping to 19 for 3 in the powerplay. Hayley Matthews (1-24) was excellent at the top of the innings but despite recovery efforts from Alice Capsey with 45 and Freya Kemp with 41, Australia’s bowlers continued to apply pressure. England were restricted to 157 for 6, with Megan Schutt and Alana King picking two wickets apiece.
The experienced duo of Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry held the chase together for Australia. Mooney was batting at a brisk 43 and Perry had stroked herself to a classy 64 off just 43 deliveries, made up of nine boundaries. Those efforts secured Australia victory with 10 balls to spare and laid the foundations for a strong start to their World Cup preparations for the defending champions.
