Tri-series to give ‘rusty’ Aussies a pre-World Cup tune-up
STAR Australian batter Alyssa Healy says her team’s tri-series against India and England is proving to be the ideal opportunity to make some minor adjustments ahead of the T20 Women’s World Cup.
The Aussies are one and one from their two matches so far and will meet India today at Junction Oval before facing England tomorrow.
Healy, who made nine and one in the opening two games of the series, said despite feeling “rusty”, Australia was looking to make the most of quality opposition before the World Cup begins on February 21.
“This tri-series is a really good test of where we are at individually and as a side,” Healy said.
“We have the top three teams playing in this tournament so it is a really big challenge for us. We are feeling a little bit rusty after Canberra but in saying that we have some really great areas to improve on and if we do that we know we can play some good cricket which will get us through the World Cup.
“It is an exciting couple of weeks ahead so hopefully we can play some good cricket.”
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has set itself a goal of registering the biggest crowd for a women’s sporting event at the final of the tournament, which falls on International Women’s Day on March 8.
Healy said the message to those thinking about attending was a simple one: Come out and watch.
“There is a bit of pressure and expectation on Australia to make it to the final but even if we are not in the final it is going to be a spectacular event,” she said. “Katy Perry is playing all day and the opportunity to get 90,000 people at a women’s sporting event is something I never dreamed was possible, so it is a great opportunity for everyone to get there, be part of a world record and see some really good cricket.”