Headingley – so long the setting for dour contests beneath lowering skies – is sharing in England’s summer heatwave. Long queues at ice-cream vans, bare legs and crop-tops, umbrellas in bright colours, and wide grins in the stands tell their own tale. This was Australia’s final hit-out before the serious business begins, and they made it count. The match began with a first-ball duck for Mooney, who edged Sadia Iqbal to slip. Gull Feroza dived to her right and pulled off a miraculous catch as if producing a startled rabbit from a green-and-white cap. Would Australia reset and consolidate? To ask the question is to answer it. Perry and Voll uncorked a glorious vintage of strokes in a century stand from 58 balls. Voll was all brute power. But Perry’s delectable strokeplay was a joy to behold. At one point she was beaten in flight. She opened the face of her bat somewhat and guided the ball to the offside boundary. Really, what can a bowler do under these circumstances? And Diana Baig’s return to the side was an unhappy one. She has lost her swing and control; and was badly mauled, especially by Perry.
It is greatly to Pakistan’s credit that they persisted. What might have been well in excess of 200 became 7/199. And Australia only got that far thanks to an imaginative cameo from Carey, who backed away to leg and smote the ball to the off boundary. An unbeaten 26 from 13 was her hat in the ring to keep her place in this team. It seemed unlikely that Pakistan could chase 200, and … they didn’t. A sympathetic chronicler would prefer to pass lightly over the viridian-clad women’s innings. Muneeba had experienced a dreadful time with the keeping gloves, but opened the batting and managed 32 from 25 before falling victim to Perry, who once again took two wickets in her opening over. Perry’s bowling duties have been largely curtailed in recent years; but the new administration deems that she will be called upon when needed. Eight bowlers were used, and shared the wickets democratically. Australia has qualified, almost certainly top of the table (unbeaten; net run rate a staggering 4.7). India, South Africa and Bangla Desh still contend for the other position.
In the other matches last night New Zealand kept the faint flicker of hope alive with a tight win over Scotland. They are out of form, but managed the run chase professionally enough after losing three early wickets to the exuberant Scots. The batting star of the tournament thus far has been Darcey Carter, whose marvellous unbeaten 72 sustained the Caledonian innings single-handed. And Sri Lanka likewise kept their campaign alive with a crushing win over Ireland, who are visibly wilting in the heat. A scorching century from Chamari Athapaththu was an ominous warning from a sleeping giant of the game. But unless England or West Indies experience a calamitous collapse they are both through to the semi-finals. And Australia’s contest with India awaits on Sunday.