Women's T20 World Cup: Australia defeats India to qualify for semi-finals

Australia have been confident so far in the tournament, but their preparations for this game have been complicated by injuries to Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck.

Fast bowler Vlaeminck is out of the tournament with a shoulder injury, but Healy – who arrived at the stadium on crutches – has not been ruled out and continues to be assessed for a foot injury.

But such is Australia's strength that injuries have failed to derail their seemingly unstoppable path to a seventh Women's T20 World Cup title.

The Southern Stars were reduced to 17-2 when Renuka Singh Thakur defeated Beth Mooney and Georgia Wareham in successive balls, only for Harris and McGrath to put on 62 for the third wicket.

Another wobble saw Australia slip from 79-2 to 101-5, but Perry and Phoebe Litchfield, whose 15 from nine balls included a booming six over square leg, helped them finish on a winning note.

India started aggressively and reached 41-2 at the end of the powerplay, ahead of Australia, who were on the field at the same time.

They were smothered by Australia's spinners in the middle overs before a 63-run fourth-wicket partnership between Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma, who scored 29 off 25, raised hopes of a spectacular win.

Despite a narrow defeat, India could still reach the semi-finals. But if they are eliminated, it will be their performances at the start of the tournament, rather than here, that have done the damage.