Australia and England safely navigated their opening contests of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 but the path ahead shimmered into perspective in the Sharjah heat with neither side fully exerting their dominance and both left with some work to do.

Linsey Smith starred with the ball as England launched their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a 21-run victory over Bangladesh. Smith turned in figures of two for 11 from her four overs and played the significant role in the dangerous Nigar Sultana Joty's run out as Heather Knight's side limited the Bangladeshis to 97 for seven in the Group B showdown under the lights in Sharjah.