Australia 149 for two (Mooney 72*, Healy 46) beat South Africa 147 for six (Brits 59*) by eight wickets
The wicketkeeper-batter was doubtful for the conflict at Manuka Oval after affected by an sickness, however proved her health and then carved a match-winning 46 because the hosts sealed victory with 5 balls and eight wickets to spare.
Healy seemed in sensible contact from the second she took to the crease and rapidly broke the again of the chase, smacking two sixes and six fours in her 46 off 28 balls.
An audacious flick over midwicket to cart South African bowler Marizanne Kapp for 4 was in all probability the shot of the innings, though a large six hit straight again over Nonkululeko Mlaba’s head additionally caught the attention.
By the point Healy fell chipping Nadine de Klerk to long-on, Australia have been nearly house, with Mooney and Tahlia McGrath, who discovered scoring laborious work, steering them to victory within the last over, whereas by no means being in any hazard of shedding.
The partnership between the ICC’s world No.1 and No.2 batters added 65 runs, Mooney taking part in some masterful strokes find 11 fours and an enormous six that accomplished the end result.
It wasn’t the beginning South Africa have been in search of of their multi-format sequence with Australia, with the perimeters slated for 3 T20Is, three ODIs and a Check match throughout the following month.
Brits received slowed down early and may hardly discover a run, however got here to life within the innings’ center levels after Grace Harris’s foot touched the boundary rope whereas making an attempt to full what would have been a surprising catch.
She took that second probability and ran with it, hitting two sixes and six fours whereas carrying her bat by the innings because the spine of South Africa’s batting.
Sune Luus labored effectively with Brits and hoicked Georgia Wareham for consecutive fours by cow-corner. Nevertheless, she fell on the very subsequent ball, Healy taking a artful leg-side catch behind the stumps.
Canberra will host the second T20I on Sunday morning, earlier than the sequence shifts to Hobart on Tuesday.
