CHAMPS TO ‘PUSH BACK’ AS PRESSURE GROWS
TWO wins from the three T20s against India will be enough for Australia to secure a series victory and, amid growing pressure, captain Meg Lanning is delighted it ends with format in which Australia is world champion.
Expectations of success every time Lanning’s team steps on the field have grown on the back of last year’s T20 World Cup win and a record run of 25 one-day international victories which put Australia on a sporting pedestal.
But it took a last-gasp win from behind in the second ODI for Australia to keep the record going, then an
Indian win in the third game ended the streak at 25. Then came a drawn Test match which was played almost entirely on the tourists terms as Australia battled to fight off defeat.
India has come hard at an Australian team littered with new faces and Lanning knows her team has to “push back as hard as we can” in the final three games to hold on to the mantle as the world’s best team.
“We certainly expected India to come hard at us ... that’s what’s happened. It’s not a surprise, it’s not like we’ve been put on the back foot, “Lanning said on Wednesday.
“It’s a good test for our group to be able to absorb some momentum and pressure that they have put on us and try and push back as hard as we can.”
Australia currently hold a 6-4 points lead in the series, with each of the three T20IS worth two points.
The return of fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck, who has been “terrorising” her teammates in the nets, is timely and other changes from the Test lineup are likely.
All-rounder Tahlia Mcgrath looks set to make her T20 debut after her excellent efforts with bat and ball in the one-day series, which included 121 runs in two innings, and four wickets.
Lanning said teenage speedsters Darcie Brown and Stella Campbell had come through their Test debuts well, but could be managed through the remaining three games.
“I don’t think they would’ve bowled for four days in a row before so it was a good challenge for them and they’ve had a pretty quiet few days, and probably will continue to over the next little bit,” she said.
“There‘ll likely be some changes to our pace-bowling options throughout the T20 leg, just to make sure we’re looking after those bowlers.“
Lanning said there was a “buzz” as they headed back to the T20 format.
“Coming in to the T20 format, it’s something we know reasonable well, everyone is clear on what their role is,” Lanning said.