Australia falls in opener

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Karen Rolton starts the long walk.

Australia's women fared little better than their male counterparts in their ICC Women's World Twenty20 Pool A opener, slumping to a nine-wicket defeat to rival New Zealand at Taunton.

Karen Rolton won the toss and elected to bat first but was soon left rueing that decision as the Black Caps blew away the Australian top order to leave them on 4-25.

Lisa Sthalekar restored some semblance of pride, hitting 46 in 38 balls at number six but Sian Ruck (3-12) turned in a devastating four-over spell to keep the batting side to 8-123.

Lucy Doolan was run out for three early in the reply but Suzie Bates (41no) and Aimee Watkins (73no) ensured New Zealand coasted home with 3.4 overs remaining.

In Pool B, Eshani Kaushalya starred with bat and ball to see Sri Lanka to a four-wicket defeat of Pakistan.

Opener Bismah Maroof clubbed 50 as Pakistan batted first but nobody else came to terms with the conditions as Kaushalya (3-16) ran riot in a disappointing total of 7-104.

Kaushalya then hit a quickfire 23 from 21 balls, including one four and a six, while Inoka Galadegara top-scored with 37 as Sri Lanka crossed the line for the loss of six wickets.