Semis booked, India’s chance to assess Australia
PROVIDENCE (GUYANA): India will face their biggest challenge so far in the ICC Women’s World T20 when they lock horns with a gifted Australian team in an inconsequential game here Saturday. Both India and Australia are already in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Assured of a place in the lastfour stage, the result of Saturday’s match may not be of much significance, but India are aware that beating a superior side will help them take the confidence into the knockouts.
The two fancied teams wasted no time in switching into top gear in the Caribbean, having convincingly won all their three matches so far, and another victory would certainly be a huge morale booster.
While India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur provided the best possible start to the tournament with her blazing century against New Zealand, the seasoned Mithali Raj showed there is no substitute for experience with two fifties.
While Harmanpreet’s scintillating innings, which contained as many as eight sixes, will be remembered for years, Mithali got into the act against Pakistan and calmly saw the team through.
A morning downpour made conditions difficult for batting but opener Mithali battled her way to her 17th T20I half-century helping her side put up a chal lenging total, anchoring the innings till the 19th over. The spinners then rattled the Irish to bring an easy win, assuring them of a semi-final place.
The result meant that Group B’s top-two spots were decided with Australia being the other semi-finalist. It also meant New Zealand and Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament.
The Aussies, too, have been in exceptional form. While Meg Lanning’s side has quite a few match-winners, the standout name at the moment is opener and wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy
Her form with the bat recently has been very impressive and she has scored more runs than any of her teammates. Since the begin ning of October, Alyssa has scored six half centuries in eight innings.