Rachael Haynes was the hero for Australia with a classy half-century to help the hosts overcome a mighty scare against Sri Lanka in Perth.
Chamari Athapaththu’s half-century set Sri Lanka on their way but two wickets apiece from Nicola Carey, who missed the India game, and Molly Strano, who came in to replace the injured Tayla Vlaeminck in the squad, held them at 122 for six.
Australian hearts were racing when Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney all fell within four overs in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group A match.
But a stunning 60 from Haynes in a solid partnership with captain Meg Lanning ensured their tournament hopes stayed alive with a five-wicket victory at the WACA.
Australia didn’t hesitate in showing their intent as Megan Schutt struck early with her third ball, Mooney with an easy catch at point to remove Hasini Perera for a duck.
It took until the end of the Powerplay for Athapaththu to see her next partner fall as Umesha Thimeshani was removed by Carey for 20, Jess Jonassen with the catch at mid-off.
It was yet another impressive outing for Athapaththu against the Australians, her 38-ball half-century taking Sri Lanka to 91 but the hosts finally took their third wicket when the captain blasted the ball straight to opposite number Lanning.
Anushka Sanjeewani’s 25 helped Sri Lanka edge to three figures but the number four was caught by Delissa Kimmince off Strano’s bowling before Ama Kanchana perished for a duck two balls later.
Two boundaries from Nilakshi de Silva in her late cameo helped Sri Lanka get to 120 but she was stumped by Healy in Jonassen’s final over.
Australia suffered a nightmare start to their chase, Udeshika Prabodani bowling Healy for a duck from the second ball.
And Prabodani’s second over started just as brightly as her first as she produced another stunning in-swing delivery to remove Gardner for two.
The hosts, who knew the importance of a win at the WACA after losing to India in Sydney, soon found themselves in deep trouble when Sanjeewani stumped Mooney to leave them 10 for three after 20 balls.
Australian breaths were held when Kavisha Dilhari thought she’d trapped Haynes lbw, but review showed the number five had got an inside edge.
And Haynes’ survival proved crucial in saving the hosts’ tournament hopes, the left-hander steering a 95-run partnership with Lanning (41) for the fourth wicket to lower the required rate.
Two successive sixes in the 15th over put the hosts firmly back in control and even when Haynes was stumped by Sanjeewani in the 17th, Australia were almost home.
And with Carey bowled by Athapaththu at the death, it was captain Lanning who saw her side home in her 100th T20I appearance with three balls to spare.
Scores in brief
Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets, WACA Ground, Perth
Sri Lanka 122-6, 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 50; Nicola Carey 2-18, Molly Strano 2-23)
Australia 123-5, 19.3 overs (Rachael Haynes 60, Meg Lanning 41 not out; Udeshika Prabodani 2-17, Shashikala Siriwardena 2-20)