Hayward impresses in green and gold debut ahead of Under 19 T20 World Cup

Callan Morse Published January 13, 2023 at 10.00am (AWST)

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Jawoyn allrounder Ella Hayward's has shown ominous form in warm-up matches ahead of the inaugural Under 19 T20 World Cup. Image: Matthew Lewis/ICC.

Rising Jawoyn star Ella Hayward has carried her strong Under 19 National Championships form into Australia's warm-up matches ahead of the inaugural ICC Women's under 19 T20 World Cup.

In the first of two warm-up fixtures against India at Randburg's Steyn City School, Hayward opened the bowling for the Australian side, taking 2-12 from two overs.

Impressively she picked up the high value wickets of Indian opener Soumya Toward (2), caught and bowled, and Indian number three Trisha Gongadi (2) clean bowled.

India made just 8-97 from their 20 overs but bowled extremely well, restricting Australia to 7-79 in response.

Hayward and her Renegades teammates celebrate the wicket of Sydney Thunder batter Tammy Beaumont in this season's Women's Big Bash League. Image: Mark Kolbe.

Batting in Australia's middle order, Hayward finished the innings 17 not out from 23 balls faced, with Sydney Sixers batter Claire Moore top scoring with 25.

Indian International Shafalie Verma did the damage for India with the ball, taking 3-8 from her four overs of off spin.

In Australia's second warm-up match against hosts South Africa, Hayward led the Australian side to victory with the bat.

In her second consecutive not out innings, she top scored with 34 from 30 balls batting at three, an innings that included five boundaries.

Combining with Claire Moore 21* (26), the pair chased down South Africa's score of 61, Australia ending 2-65 with more than nine overs left in the match.

Earlier in the match, Hayward wasn't required with the ball as Victorian quick Rhys McKenna (3-7), Western Australian spinner Chris Bekker (2-6) and New South Wales leg spinner Jade Allen (2-3) were too good for South Africa's batters.

Australia will look to allrounder Hayward, one of eight Australian squad members with Women's Big Bash League or Women's National Cricket League experience, to lead the side throughout the first Under 19 Women T20 World Cup tournament.

Australia's opening T20 World Cup fixture is against Bangladesh on Saturday, followed by pool matches against the United States of America and Sri Lanka before knockout rounds begin.

Australia Women's Under 19 T20 World Cup matches

Australia v Bangladesh, Saturday 14 January, 7pm (AEDT) at Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Australia v United States of America, Monday 16 January, 10:45pm (AEDT) at Willowmoore Park B, Benoni

Australia v Sri Lanka, Wednesday 18 January, 7pm (AEDT) at Willowmoore Park, Benoni