Australia cruised past Bangladesh at Headingley, winning by nine wickets in the Women's T20 World Cup Group 1 clash. Bangladesh slumped to 77‑8 in their full quota, hampered by early wickets from Kim Garth, who dismissed both openers and left them 27‑5. Sophie Molineux and Ellyse Perry each added two more dismissals, sealing a modest total.

Missing opening batter Phoebe Litchfield and all‑rounder Ashleigh Gardner, Australia nevertheless chased the target in 9.3 overs. Georgia Voll 45 smashed 45 not out off 32 balls, anchoring the innings with a powerful straight six. The side reached 78‑1 with 10.3 overs to spare, confirming their status as six‑time champions.

The victory sets Australia up for a Saturday clash with the Netherlands in Southampton, followed by a Tuesday showdown with Pakistan at Headingley. Litchfield’s injury rules her out of both fixtures, while Gardner’s ankle sprain leaves her timeline uncertain. Nonetheless, the dominant win keeps the Aussies atop the group and reinforces their bid for a seventh title.

Coach Ricky Ponting praised the depth of the squad, noting that the side’s ability to win without Litchfield or Gardner demonstrates resilience. He highlighted Voll’s aggressive approach as a template for the upcoming matches, urging the team to maintain intensity in every match as the tournament progresses.