WT20 Today: Stars shine, England survive

LAST NIGHT

While it was an evening off on the men's side of the draw, there was action aplenty among their female counterparts, and it was the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars who led the way courtesy of a nine-wicket thrashing of Sri Lanka. 

Quick Single: Stars right ship to cruise past Sri Lanka

In a match Australia had to win, they responded to the pressure in exactly the sort of fashion you'd expect from the reigning three-time World T20 champions, restricting Sri Lanka to 8-123 before cruising home with 14 balls to spare.

The pace of Megan Schutt and the spin of Kristen Beams did the damage, with both bowlers claiming 2-25 from their four-over spells, before unbeaten half-centuries to opener Elyse Villani (53no off 39) and captain Meg Lanning (56no off 53) sealed the deal in style for the Aussie women. 

Elsewhere, England's women won an absolute thriller over the West Indies in Dharamshala. Chasing 109 to win, the English were cruising at 0-59 in the ninth over before disaster struck in the form of a spectacular collapse. 

Across 11 overs, they lost 9-47, leaving Natalie Sciver (19no off 22) and No.11 Rebecca Grundy to get England home with a single from the final ball. 

In the other women's fixture, Pakistan cruised to a nine-wicket win over Bangladesh courtesy of an unbroken 99-run stand between Sidra Ameen (53no off 48) and Bismah Maroof (43no off 42), the pair chasing down the 114 required with 21 balls to spare.

TWEET OF THE NIGHT

Shane Watson's decision to call time on his international career drew an emotional response from his teammates and the Australia coaching staff - a fact typified by this from head coach Darren Lehmann. 

PIC OF THE NIGHT

While there was plenty of colourful drama on the field, we couldn't go past this cracking photo of Australia batsman Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell, a fan favourite in India due in no small part to his standout performance in the Indian Premier League, is seen here getting into the spirit of Holi - otherwise known as the 'festival of colours'.

Image Id: ~/media/03C10C06E32E49209A3E76B58C53CB2F Image Caption: Maxwell gets into the spirit of Holi // Getty

AUSTRALIA'S MEN

Well, this is it. Australia go into tonight's clash with Pakistan (coverage from 8pm AEDT) in Mohali knowing that nothing less than victory will keep them alive in this ICC World T20 tournament. 

Quick Single: Smith wants runs, hints at change

After a first-up defeat to New Zealand, the Aussies were always going to be up against it, and while they rather unconvincingly came through against Bangladesh in their second match, things go up a notch against a quality Pakistan side who are effectively out of the running for a semi-finals place but will be looking to take a few big guns down with them. 

There is some talk that Australia's XI could change, with a groundswell of support for the inclusion of Aaron Finch, the world's No.1 ranked T20 batsman who is yet to swing a bat in anger in this tournament. 

Full story: Finch's career far from over, Warner says

Given Australia's excess of allrounders, Mitchell Marsh could be the man to make way for Finch as Australia continue to tinker in order to find their ideal balance. 

If the Aussies do get up over Pakistan, they set themselves for a massive showdown with hosts India on Sunday night.

AUSTRALIA'S WOMEN

Having emphatically wiped away the pain of a heavy defeat at the hands of New Zealand's White Ferns, Australia remain in second position behind NZ in their group and, as well as having to beat Ireland, they will be relying on the Kiwis to take care of South Africa. If that happens, the Aussies will progress into the semi-finals. If it doesn't, they'll need to thrash Ireland and hope that net run-rate is enough to get them through. 

TONIGHT'S MATCHES

The Australia-Pakistan showdown isn't the only must-see cricket tonight - it's followed by a huge clash between unbeaten West Indies, and South Africa, who lost to England first-up before beating Afghanistan quite comfortably. 

Quick Single: Aussies buoyed by T20 pitch in Mohali

The Proteas are the first team to post two scores of 200-plus at a World T20 tournament, and the Windies have an explosive batting order themselves, so runs shouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, the result could hinge on whichever group of bowlers makes the most of what have been spinning conditions in Nagpur, with leg-spinners Imran Tahir (SA) and Samuel Badree (WI) certainly capable of taking centre stage. 

South Africa will miss the all-round talents of JP Duminy, who misses this match with a hamstring injury, while Jamaican superstar Chris Gayle has been declared fit despite also injuring a hamstring against Sri Lanka last start.

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