Beth Mooney has played down any concerns about her back injury after Australia crushed the Netherlands by 98 runs in their T20 Women’s World Cup clash in Southampton.<\/p>\n
In reply to Australia’s 6-219 on Saturday, the world number 14 side were restricted to 3-121 despite a brave effort from the associate nation.<\/p>\n
Australia’s third win on the trot has put them on the cusp of locking away a top-two berth in their group and a spot in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
But there was an injury scare with Mooney, who struck an unbeaten 74 off 42 deliveries before retiring hurt with the scoreboard reading 2-152 after 14 overs.<\/p>\n
Mooney did not look hampered in any way before going off the ground, having just struck Iris Zwilling (3-52) for a six two balls earlier before finishing the over by running a quick two.<\/p>\n
Cricket Australia revealed Mooney was suffering from “back stiffness”, with the 32-year-old playing down the injury while receiving the player-of-the-match award after the win.<\/p>\n
“I’m all good, just precautionary,” Mooney said.<\/p>\n
“I’m just not used to all the bus travel we’ve been doing. The Leeds to Southampton trip is a pretty long one.”<\/p>\n
Ash Gardner (58 off 32 balls) and Georgia Wareham (41 off 18 balls) cracked plenty of boundaries, but it was Mooney who looked the most dangerous before being forced off.<\/p>\n
With fellow wicketkeeper option Phoebe Litchfield (quad) still sidelined and Mooney unable to operate behind the stumps in the Netherlands’ innings, Georgia Voll took the gloves and snared a sharp catch to her right in the second over to send Phebe Molkenboer packing for a duck.<\/p>\n
Kim Garth (2-20) picked up her second wicket a short time later as the Netherlands stumbled to 2-17, with the minnows unable to mount anything close to a serious challenge after that.<\/p>\n
But the winless Netherlands (0-3) were still left with plenty to smile about ahead of their final group games against South Africa and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Dutch captain Babette de Leede struck an unbeaten 56 off 57 balls in her 100th T20I, while Sterre Kalis (44 off 43) also showed plenty of talent and defiance in a 96-run, third-wicket stand.<\/p>\n