The scoreline suggests it was a T20 World Cup wake-up name for Australia who had been crushed by minnows Ireland in a warm-up match simply days out from their event opener in opposition to New Zealand.
But there’s no panic from the defending champs, who didn’t lose a single T20 in all of 2022 and used the outing as pure observe, with batting retirements and rested bowlers and one eye firmly on the principle occasion.
Vice-captain Alyssa Healy, who confirmed no lingering results of the calf harm that sidelined her for a month, was considered one of two batters to retire after she clubbed 62 off 40 balls in her closing tune-up.
The world’s No.1 T20 batter, Tahlia McGrath, was one other to take herself off after making a 47-ball half-century.
It was a real observe match in each sense for the Australians and Healy was adamant that shedding, as Ireland chased down the Aussies’ 5-168 within the closing over, would haven’t any impression on their confidence.,
The vice-captain stated the Australians had been “flying” as they give the impression of being to make it three T20 World Cup titles in a row.
“If you remember back in New Zealand (at last year‘s ODI World Cup), we got absolutely pummelled by the Kiwis in a warm-up game, so nothing too stressful about that,” Healy stated after the match.
“We had some different options, trying some different things throughout the innings and once we get our full strength XI on the park in their specific roles, I’ve got no doubt we’ll nail that.
“It was a really good hit out. I’m not going to take anything away from Ireland, I thought they batted really brilliantly to get over the line there.
“But the group‘s flying at the moment, so nothing to worry about, I think we just turn up Saturday and make sure we’re all present and play well.”
Star opener Beth Mooney was bowled on the primary ball of the sport and Healy conceded there have been a couple of areas for the defending champs to “clean up” earlier than they tackle New Zealand on Saturday.
“I think Ireland batted beautifully, but (this game has) just given us a good look at what everyone can do and hopefully we can now just move on,” she stated.
“We pride ourselves on our fielding and I thought we did that beautifully against India and we let ourselves down a little bit today.
“There’s a few areas for us to clean up, but I thought we got a bit out of today, which is great,” she stated.
Source: www.news.com.au
