Australia crushed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in Delhi but their bid for a fourth straight women's World Twenty20 title could yet be scuppered before the semi-finals.
Australia are favoured to bank a third victory at the tournament when they face winless minnows Ireland in their final pool fixture, which starts at 9pm AEDT on Saturday.
If South Africa manage to topple New Zealand and Sri Lanka they will also finish the pool stage with three wins, as will NZ.
The Southern Stars' run-rate is currently inferior to both sides, meaning they're still very much at risk of elimination.
"Every game we play now is like a World Cup final, so we can't afford to drop the ball," opener Elyse Villani said after starring in her side's win over Sri Lanka.
The Southern Stars were dealt a reality check by New Zealand earlier this week; the six-wicket loss all but ensuring they wouldn't top their pool.
Villani and Meg Lanning responded in the best possible way on Thursday, posting unbeaten half-centuries in a 98-run stand.
Sri Lanka compiled a total of 8-123 that could have been tricky if the Southern Stars suffered their third top-order collapse in as many matches.
Instead Lanning and Villani dominated Sri Lanka's attack in the first T20 meeting between the two sides, bringing up the winning runs with 14 balls spare.
"We didn't really talk about the net run-rate ... if need be we'll worry about that next game," Villani said.
"We just sort of took ownership and we just really wanted to finish the game in that partnership.
"We weren't worried about the net run-rate."
You wouldn't know it based on way Villani struck the ball, belting nine fours as she powered to 50 in 36 balls.
It was a timely return to form for Villani, who totalled four runs from her previous two digs at the event.
"I just gave myself a little bit more time," the opener said, having been named player of the match after finishing 53 not out.
"Every member of the batting unit was very disappointed with those starts in the last two games.
"Not much was said to be honest because I think it was pretty obvious that it was well below par.
"It was about backing ourselves, playing with freedom."
Alyssa Healy was the only wicket to fall, bowled by left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera.
Healy impressed with the gloves after Sri Lanka won the toss, completing two sharp stumpings.
Tweakers Kristen Beams, Jess Jonassen and Erin Osborne claimed four of six wickets to fall in Sri Lanka's innings.
"It looked like we were chasing 140 or 150 at one stage, our bowlers did a good job," Lanning said.
Share
