[Watch] Kavisha Dilhari pulls off a stunning direct hit to dismiss Georgia Wareham in SL vs AUS 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Sri Lanka women's team all-rounder, Kavish Dilhari, executed a brilliant direct hit to catch Georgia Wareham short of the crease during the ongoing 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Group A encounter against Australia. The dismissal has ensured a strong start for Sri Lanka in their bid to defend a paltry 94-run target.
Australia landed in trouble in their run chase as Alyssa Healy departed in the first over itself. Georgia Wareham, coming in at No.3, joined Beth Mooney at the crease to get the chase going. In the first delivery of the third over, the pair tried to steal a quick single, initiated by Mooney. Wareham stuttered a bit, but looked set to make it in time.
However, Dilhari was alert on the field. She rushed quickly to pick up the ball and send a bullet throw towards the wicket-keeper end from short cover. The fielder hit the stumps and replays showed that Wareham was marginally short of the crease.
Have a look at the dismissal right here:
Wareham had to walk back after scoring three runs off six deliveries as Australia were left reeling at 14-2 in the third over.
Sri Lanka strike again after Dilhari's brilliance as Australia counter-attack
All-rounder Ellyse Perry took some pressure off the Women in Yellow with a counter-attack which began with successive boundaries to begin the fifth over. She racked off to 17 runs in quick time, but was dismissed in the final over of the powerplay.
She was undone by a delivery by Sugandika Kumari as Australia ended the powerplay at 35-3. As of writing, the settled Beth Mooney has kept the scoreboard ticking while Ashleigh Gardner has joined the crease. Australia have scaled more than half of the target, and have the required rate under control as well.
A loss against Australia would mean the second on the trot for Sri Lanka, whose qualification hopes may end. The Asia Cup winners began their campaign with a loss to Pakistan on the opening day of the tournament.