3 minute read

England captain Heather Knight said Australia could definitely buckle under the pressure of hosting the women's Twenty20 World Cup.

Australia has swatted down England's sledge that they could buckle under the pressure of hosting the women's Twenty20 World Cup this month.

Heather Knight admitted she felt the weight of a nation while captaining England to World Cup glory at home in 2017 and said Australia could easily succumb to similar expectations.

Australian opening batsman Beth Mooney said the only pressure they had to deal with heading into the tournaments as favourites was a "perceived" one.

That was despite England prevailing against their arch-rivals with a Super Over victory on Saturday in the second match of a tri-series which includes India.

Mooney blasted 65 runs off 45 balls in the defeat at Manuka Oval before emphasising Australia would "relish" hosting the World Cup.

"It came to a Super Over and tested our skills under pressure and how composed we were going to be in that contest so there was no greater preparation for what's to come," Mooney said.

"You'd rather lose now than in six weeks time in a World Cup semi-final.

"All the pressure that people talk about is just perceived pressure, we know what our job is and we've been doing it really well over the last 18 to 24 months.

"Nothing changes there, we're just really excited to have the opportunity and really fortunate to be able to play at home.

"You don't get that very often in your career. Maybe twice if you're lucky, hosting a World Cup, so we're really relishing that opportunity."