India take on favourites Aussies with eye on final
derby — Odds are stacked heavily against them but a confident India will aim to turn the tables when they take on six-time champions Australia in the second semifinal of the ICC Women’s World Cup on Thursday
India have a poor record against Australia, having lost 34 out of 42 games. But come Thursday, the Mithali Raj-led Indian team will be aiming to end the losing streak against Australia.
A win will ensure India’s entry into the summit clash at Lord’s only for the second time in the history of the tournament. India played the final of the World Cup only once in 2005 edition in South Africa, where they lost to Australia.
While India have finished the round-robin stage in the third spot with five wins and two losses, Australia have finished second with six wins out of seven games.
The match will be played at The County Ground, a venue boasting plenty of familiarity for India having played four of its group games here that included its last must-win clash against New Zealand to reach the semifinals.
Australia, on the other hand, are yet to play at the ground — though they have have continued to impress. “I think this is our home ground and we have played four games here and I think that is why the girls feel at home,” India skipper Mithali had said.
The match will also provide the Indians a chance to avenge their morale-shattering eight-wicket loss to Australia in the round-robin stage just a week ago in Bristol.
But it would be easier said than done. To upset Australia the Indians will have to excel in all departments of the game.
“But Australia is a very good side. They won the last edition of this tournament and they have a lot of players who have played in highpressure games,” she added.
Mithali has been in fine form with the bat, scoring 356 runs in seven innings and becoming the first woman to surpass 6,000 runs in one-day cricket in the process.
She scored 69 in defeat to the Australians earlier in the competition but feels that counts for nothing when India meet the reigning world champions. “It’s all about how the teams respond to the situation and the conditions on the day,” she said.
“How the players play the situation is important because having said that Derby is our home ground, you need to perform on that day to win.” — Agencies