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Ellyse Perry’s half-century guided Australia to a comfortable five-wicket win against England in their T20 World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff. Perry was superbly caught by Dani Gibson at deep midwicket off Lauren Bell for a match-winning 64 with two runs needed as Australia cruised to their target of 158 with 10 balls to spare at Sophia Gardens.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, England were restricted to 157 for six, having recovered from 19 for three, and were then punished in the field for three dropped catches of varying difficulty. Opener Beth Mooney’s 26-ball 43, which included two sixes, ensured Australia stayed ahead of the run-rate, while Perry struck nine fours and faced 44 deliveries. Mooney was dropped by Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Gibson and Perry was given a let off when Bell spilled her one-handed attempt.
Some big hitting from England’s middle order helped them out of a hole, with Alice Capsey maintaining her fine form with 45 off 36 deliveries and Freya Kemp thumping a 27-ball 41, including a six and four fours.
Both featured in half-century stands after England had lost early wickets, including the returning captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, whose first innings of the season after a calf injury lasted seven balls for three runs.
Capsey and Heather Knight (25) led the fightback, six days after their partnership had propelled England to victory over India in Taunton, as they lifted their side to 73 in the 11th over. Knight went for 25 and when Capsey was pinned lbw by Alana King for a 36-ball 45 four overs later England were 98 for five before Kemp and Gibson (27 not out) put on 57.
England take on India in their second warm-up game at Sophia Gardens on Wednesday before facing Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday in the opening T20 World Cup match.
