Southern Stars secure strong win

Brilliant performances with bat, ball and in the field have given the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars' Women's World T20 campaign the perfect start courtesy of an emphatic 43-run victory over the West Indies in Chennai.

Powerful batting from Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning helped the Southern Stars post 3-139, before a strong bowling performance led by Kristen Beams' 3-9 saw the Windies skittled for 96 after 19 overs.

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Villani's 51 from 42 balls signalled a return to form for the 26-year-old, who found the boundary on eight occasions as she played the aggressor in a 70-run opening stand with Alyssa Healy.

Lanning also stamped her mark on the occasion, her unbeaten 49 boosting the run rate in the closing stages of Australia's innings.

Healy – also known for her big-hitting abilities – moved to opener for the warm-up match at MA Chidambaram Stadium but found herself playing the support role as Villani attacked, scoring one boundary before being caught and bowled by Stafanie Taylor for a 24-ball 18.

Villani's knock is a pleasing sign for the defending WT20 champions, as she finally found her groove after scores of just three, six and six since being recalled to the Australia squad last month.

Crucially for the Southern Stars, they advanced through the Powerplay without losing a wicket – a feat they had not achieved since Villani and Ellyse Perry put on 121 for the first wicket against Ireland in Dublin last August.

When Villani departed shortly after bringing up her half-century, skipper Lanning – who had made a somewhat sedate start at eight from 16 deliveries – picked up where she left off, blasting three big sixes in an impressive display.

A dot ball on the final delivery of the innings denied Lanning her half-century, but her late flurry was instrumental in the outcome and is unlikely to be her last chance to post a personal milestone in India over the coming weeks.

Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen was handed the new ball and took only three deliveries to find the first breakthrough, sending talented teenager Hayley Matthews on her way, before Beams produced a superb display of leg-spin, claiming the key wickets of Britney Cooper, Taylor and Dottin in the space of nine balls.

Beams ultimately finished with 3-9 from her three-over spell, with her efforts backed up by Rene Farrell's 3-18 off four.

The Southern Stars' fielding was another highlight – Beth Mooney took a sharp diving grab to remove Cooper before taking another impressive catch in the deep off Taylor.

Lauren Cheatle, Megan Schutt and Erin Osborne all chipped in with their own quality catches on the boundary, while Healy was sharp with the gloves, executing two stumpings and snaring a catch.

The Southern Stars fielded 12 players for the practice match, opting to rest allrounders Perry and Nicola Carey and quick Holly Ferling, while Cheatle bowled despite being listed as 12th.

It was Australia's first official hit out since arriving in India on Wednesday evening and with their tournament opener against an improving South Africa team just four days away, the emphatic victory will give them a confidence boost ahead of the clash in Nagpur.

Southern Stars: Alyssa Healy, Elyse Villani, Meg Lanning (c), Alex Blackwell, Jess Jonassen, Erin Osborne, Beth Mooney, Sarah Coyte, Megan Schutt, Rene Farrell, Kristen Beams, Lauren Cheatle.

West Indies: Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shaquana Quintyne , Deandra Dottin, Merissa Aguilleira, Stacy-Ann King, Britney Cooper, Shemaine Campbelle, Afy Fletcher, Tremayne Smartt, Shamilia Connell.