Australia 78 for 1 (Voll 45*) beat Bangladesh 77 for 8 (Molineux 2-14, Perry 2-14, Garth 2-18) by nine wickets
Australia gave themselves another significant net run-rate boost by dispatching Bangladesh with ease at Headingley, restricting them to 77 for 8 before chasing down the runs with more than 10 overs to spare.
The game followed an expected pattern, especially after Australia had been able to bowl first in helpful conditions on a surface that nibbled around for the seamers, but this was another statement performance. Kim Garth set the tone with a brace of early wickets and was well backed up by Ellyse Perry although success was shared around.
Bangladesh could only manage six boundaries in their 20 overs and, while always facing an enormous task, may regret not being a little bolder even after falling to 27 for 5 in the eighth over. "We are better than that," captain Nigar Sultana, who top-scored with 27 off 47 balls, said after the match.
The chase was just a matter of how quickly Australia could get it done and after taking a few balls to find her stride, Georgia Voll peppered the boundary - collecting as many fours in 32 deliveries (six) as Bangladesh had managed in their entire innings.
Australia had been selecting from just 13 fit players at the start of the game after Phoebe Litchfield was ruled out with a quad injury and Ashleigh Gardner an ankle strain.
Garth in the groove
Many swing and seam bowlers have enjoyed Headingley over the years, and it did not take long for Garth to have an impact on a chilly morning where the sun was reluctant to make an early appearance. Dilara Akter swiped across the line in the second over and Juairiya Ferdous, who made such an impression against Netherlands, was beaten by one which straightened as she, too, aimed to leg.
At the other end the recalled Megan Schutt was a fraction short with her inswingers, but Sophie Molineux followed her first-over wicket against South Africa with another when Sharmin Akhter was lbw, having been saved by the DRS against Molineux's opening delivery which was missing leg.
Perry's reminder of Molineux's endless options
Molineux then had a hand in Perry's first wicket with a sharp catch at short cover to pluck out Sobhana Mostary's drive. By the end of her first over Perry had two to her name when a nip-backer pinned Shorna Akter lbw. Perry, who is used less frequently with the ball these days, went on to bowl three overs for the first time in a T20I since January 2024.
Perry's double strike left Bangladesh 27 for 5 in the eighth over and with the possibility of being bowled out. That was prevented by a stand of 32 between Nigar and Ritu Moni although there was never any scoring pressure on Australia.
Molineux rotated through various pace and spin combinations with legspinners Georgia Wareham and Alana King sharing four overs between them. Such are the plethora of options at Molineux's disposal that Nicola Carey, a skillful swing bowler who would no doubt have enjoyed these conditions, has yet to bowl in the tournament.
Voll in a rush
After taking a few deliveries to get used to the pace of the pitch and Marufa Akter's inswing, Voll made swift inroads into the small chase. Her first boundary was a six down the ground off Marufa and there were further shots in the 'V' which showcased her power, getting her tournament up and running after the duck against South Africa.
Beth Mooney was the only wicket to fall, well held at mid-off by a diving Moni to give Marufa a deserved wicket as she bowled her four overs straight through. Australia will hope their injury concerns ease in the coming days but they have given themselves early breathing space in the race for a semi-final spot.
