Australia Women vs. Bangladesh Women: Match Highlights and Pre-Match Insights

Time for the national anthems - The giant flags of both countries are unveiled in the centre, which is met with big cheers from the faithful of both teams in the crowd. Out walk the match officials and right after them, the two captains lead their respective groups out to get lined up for the anthems. It will be Bangladesh's first, followed by Australia's.

From the Aussie camp, it's Annabel Sutherland - She says it is a beautiful place to play cricket and that it is always great to be back. She adds it is a wonderful venue to watch players go about their business and notes the ground offers something with the ball, particularly with the new ball early on. On the strength of Australia's lineup, Sutherland says the beauty of their side is the options they have throughout the order, with plenty of all-rounders who can contribute with both spin and pace. She highlights just how deep their batting goes, pointing out that Sophie Molineux came in at number 11 in the previous game, which she describes as ridiculous. She credits the top order for doing their job and signs off with a smile, saying she is hoping to get a hit herself today.

Let's hear it from Sharmin Akhter of Bangladesh - On their last win against Netherlands, Sharmin says she feels Bangladesh were the better side and is happy to have contributed to the result. On facing Australia today, she says it is a good opportunity for the team, adding that they came here to show the world what Bangladesh cricket is about and that playing against the best teams is an exciting prospect. On adapting to the conditions, she keeps it light, saying it is good to finally see the sun and that the team are feeling better for it.

Right. Done with all the pre-match rituals. Amar Shonar Bangla and Advance Australia Fair are sung/chanted proudly. It is now time for Match 9 to get underway at Leeds. The two umpires walk out. Sophie Molineux has her ladies in a huddle near the ropes. Now, they spring out confidently to take their respective fielding spots. Juairiya Ferdous and Dilara Akter are the two Bangladeshi openers making way to the crease. Megan Schutt has the new ball and is raring to. No slip in place. Let's place says the umpire. Here we go...

Overs1.2 Score4 - 0 Kim Garth to Juairiya Ferdous, Garth bowls this full and on middle and off, Juairiya Ferdous pushes this right towards the mid on fielder and sets off for a suicidal run, which was never on. Annabel Sutherland picks it up and throws it at the bowler's end but misses. Juairiya Ferdous survives a wild call.

Overs1.3 Score4 - 1 Kim Garth to Dilara Akter, OUT! TIMBER! Kim Garth strikes early as Australia Women get their first breakthrough. Kim hits the hard length with a nice upright seam, around the off stump, shaping into the batter. Dilara Akter stands still, doesn't move her feet much and has a swing across the line, but she gets beaten on the inside edge, and the ball hits the top of off. Dilara departs for a three-baller. Bangladesh Women are 4/1.

Overs3.3 Score15 - 2 Kim Garth to Juairiya Ferdous, OUT! LBW! Second success already for Kim Garth in this contest. Kim bowls this on a good length, in the line of the stumps, shaping it away from the batter. Juairiya Ferdous looks to hit this across the line but plays all over it, and the ball beats the bat to hit her on the back pad. A gentle appeal for LBW was all the umpire needed to raise her finger. Juairiya Ferdous does not bother to review and keeps walking away. Bangladesh Women are 15/2.

Overs4.1 Score16 - 2 Sophie Molineux to Sharmin Akhter, Excellent review from Sharmin saves the day for her. Arm-delivery, slanting back into the batter, pitching on middle and off and probably going down the leg side. Sharmin Akhter rocks back and looks to put it away but misses and gets rapped on her front pad. A loud appeal and the umpire raises her finger. Sharmin Akhter sends this upstairs straightaway. Ball Tracking shows that the ball would have missed the leg stump and Sharmin Akhter survives.

Overs4.4 Score17 - 3 Sophie Molineux to Sharmin Akhter, OUT! LBW! Do not even bother burning a review for it, this is stone dead in front of the stumps. Darted on off, a lot straighter, without much turn. Sharmin Akhter shuffles across a shade and looks to flick this around square leg but misses and gets hit on her back foot's thigh pad with a bit of middle and the entire leg pole visible. An easy decision for the umpire after the Aussies appealed.

Overs5.3 Score18 - 3 Kim Garth to Nigar Sultana, Had to hurry! A little bit of away shape, full in length, on off. Nigar Sultana pushes it towards the right of mid-wicket from the inner half of the bat. Calls her partner through for a single. Mostary has to put in a desperate dive as she is a bit slow to get off the blocks, but survives as she gets home before the throw comes in to the keeper.