Australia eves hammer Ireland

New Delhi, March 26: The Australian women's cricket team kept its World Twenty20 semi-fil hopes alive by registering a seven-wicket victory over Ireland in a Group A clash at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Saturday. With this win, defending champions Australia have six points from all their four matches while New Zealand have won all their three matches so far. While Ireland completed their campaign without a win, third-placed South Africa, with one win in two matches, play Sri Lanka later in the day. Sri Lanka, who have two points from three matches, are out of the semi-fil race but if South Africa win their next two matches, the net run-rate will come into play to decide the top two sides from the group. Australia, playing the must-win match, first restricted Ireland to 91/7 in 20 overs and chased down the target with seven wickets and 6.4 overs to spare. Ellyse Villani scored 43 in 35 deliveries as Elleyse Perry remained unbeaten on 29 for Australia.

Brief scores: Ireland 91/7 in 20 overs (Kim Garth 27, Cecelia Joyce 23; Megan Schutt 3/29, Rene Farrell 2/11) lost to Australia 92/3 in 13.2 overs (Elyse Villani 43, Ellyse Perry not out 29; Kim Garth 2/24). IANS