The 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup got off to a sensational start with India upsetting hosts and favourites Australia at Sydney in the tournament opener. On 67-2, needing 66 from 62, Australia were in control. And then this happened…

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Over 9.5: Yadav offers hope

Alyssa Healy 51 (c & b Poonam Yadav) – 67-3

Alyssa Healy – finally back amongst the runs – brings up her half-century with a whopping six over midwicket from a Poonam Yadav full toss. Australia are cruising… until Yadav strikes! Healy comes down the track but just lobs a return catch to the leggie.

11.3: Haynes runs past a wrong’un

Rachael Haynes 7 (st Taniya Bhatia b Poonam Yadav) – 76-4

The flight is the first thing that does the left-hander as she goes down the track, and then it’s the turn away from the bat that completes the trick. Bhatia does the rest behind the stumps. A muted celebration confirms that there’s still plenty of work to be done.

11.4: Perry walks in and out of the match

Ellyse Perry 0 (b Poonam Yadav) – 76-5

One of the greats arrives at the crease but even she can’t stop Yadav’s march, with the wrong ‘un doing the trick once more. The ball skips through between Ellyse Perry’s bat and pad, dropping down as it hits the stumps. This time round Yadav and India are really celebrating. They believe.

[caption id=”attachment_138173″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Ellyse Perry is out for a golden duck[/caption]

11.5: Bhatia’s drop costs Yadav a WC hat-trick

Poonam Yadav to Jess Jonassen, no runs

A HAT-TRICK! NO! Jess Jonassen’s forward prod doesn’t cover the turn of the googly which nabs the outside edge, but the excellent Bhatia finally errs, failing to hold on.

[caption id=”attachment_138174″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Poonam Yadav narrowly misses out on a hat trick[/caption]

13.5: The keeper makes amends with a fine low catch

Jess Jonassen 2 (c Taniya Bhatia b Poonam Yadav) – 82-6

Jonassen goes for the sweep but an under-edge is found through – you guessed it – the googly! Bhatia holds on this time round by holding her shape. Australia are in serious trouble.

15.5: Gardner launches one into the Sydney sky

Rajeshwari Gayakwad to Ashleigh Gardner, SIX

Hope for Australia comes with a monster hit down the ground from Ashleigh Gardner as she advances forward and smacks it into the crowd. The hosts need 35 from 25.

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16.3: Bhatia’s back again

Annabel Sutherland 2 (st Taniya Bhatia b Shikha Pandey) 2 – 101-7

She’s in serious form behind the stumps. Shikha Pandey bowls one wide outside off stump to leave Annabel Sutherland well out of reach and out of her crease. but Bhatia still has plenty of work to do, not that it’s hard for her. She collects and moves swiftly to her left to throw down the stumps. It’s an exhibition.

[caption id=”attachment_138176″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Taniya Bhatia brilliantly stumps Annabel Sutherland[/caption]

17.3: Slower and lower, but not this time

Poonam Yadav to Ashleigh Gardner, no ball

Yadav returns and she thinks she’s got five as the stumps are rattled. But the ball bounces twice on its way to Gardner. Not that it’s going to change the direction of the game; Yadav rounds off a four-run over to finish with figures of 4-19. Australia need 27 from 12.

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19.5: The end

Molly Strano 2 (run out), one run – 115 all out

Wickets continue to fall and Australia can’t survive till the end, with a run out rounding off a famous win. Welcome to the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup.