In the second of a double bill of matches at Eurolux Boland Park in Paarl, Australia defeated New Zealand by 76 runs, as they got their defence of the trophy off to a winning start.

After being put in to bat, five-time winners of the tournament Australia amassed 173 for nine off 20 overs, with wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy top scoring with 55.

She put on 70 runs for the second wicket with captain Meg Lanning, who made 41, with Ellyse Perry contributing with 40 runs off 22 balls.

Australia lost five wickets for 19 runs as they struggled in the latter part of the innings, with Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr both taking three wickets.

New Zealand’s reply got off to the worst possible start as they lost both openers to first ball ducks in the opening over, at the hands of Megan Schutt.

They then lost regular wickets throughout as they slumped to 76 all out, with Amelia Kerr top scoring with 21.

Ashleigh Gardner impressed with the ball, taking five wickets for 12 runs as she finished off the innings with six overs unused.

In the earlier match at the same venue, England also ran out comfortable winners, as they defeated the West Indies by seven wickets.

After choosing to bat, the West Indies posted 135 for seven off 20 overs, with captain Hayley Matthews top scoring with 42.

Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s top-ranked women’s T20 international bowler, finished with three wickets for 23 runs.

In reply England batted with confidence and aggression, chasing down their target with five and a half overs to spare for the loss of just three wickets.

Natalie Sciver-Brunt put on 67 runs with skipper Heather Knight for the fourth wicket, with Sciver-Brunt top scoring with an unbeaten 40 as England sealed a comfortable win to open their campaign.

Two more matches are scheduled tomorrow in Cape Town, with the runners-up from the previous edition India taking on arch rivals Pakistan, before Bangladesh play their first match against Sri Lanka.