Determined India want all the pieces to click on to make it previous favourites Australia
Big Picture
As redemption tales go, India Women overturning the frustration of 2020 to safe one other likelihood at T20 World Cup glory would do properly. The solely drawback is, they need to make it previous Australia – once more.
After successful their opening match in Sydney over the last T20 World Cup, being outplayed when it counted most in an 85-run thrashing at a packed MCG for the ultimate stung India. They can cling to key successes in opposition to the title favourites – the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-final, clinching one of many 5 T20Is in a Super Over throughout their latest dwelling bi-lateral collection, or their solely different win over Australia at this occasion, within the group levels of the 2018 version – or they’ll take the struggle to their opponents now. With Australia having gained 22 of their 30 T20I conferences general and India solely six, to not point out the Australians successful 54 of the 63 T20Is they’ve performed in opposition to all opposition because the begin of 2018, trying forward might be the way in which to go for an Indian aspect looking for an upset.
Both groups are most likely but to strike the proper efficiency on this event. While every have gone largely unchallenged they’ve made a few of their matches look barely tougher than they have been or wanted to be, however each boast sufficient depth to have gotten the job completed. Richa Ghosh has carried out nicely with three unbeaten knocks within the center order, though Australia bat deeper, and India want multiple of their high 4 to fireside on this event. Renuka Singh has been potent together with her deadly inswingers whereas Australia have balanced their robust seam and spin choices properly. India know they want all the pieces to click on if they’re to topple the title favourites.
2023 Tournament kind information
India WLWW (most up-to-date first) Australia WWWW
In the highlight
Shafali Verma heads into the match with scores of 33, 28, 8 and 24 up to now at this occasion and with India needing a flawless batting efficiency from their high order. India might do with their Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, who scored a half-century in opposition to Australia in a shedding trigger throughout their third T20I in December, reprising or bettering on that efficiency. Harmanpreet Kaur pushed herself up the order in opposition to Ireland looking for some contact after a equally lacklustre event with the bat up to now, placing even better significance on India getting an excellent begin by way of their younger opener. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues have each put in match-winning performances throughout this competitors. Imagine what India can do with an on-song Shafali and Harmanpreet too.
Legspinner Alana King is a confirmed match-turner however has gone wicketless at this World Cup. Used sparingly within the final group match in opposition to South Africa and the opening conflict with New Zealand, the place offspinner Ashleigh Gardner bagged 5, it’s a testomony to Australia’s spin-bowling depth – they’ve additionally had the world-class left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen sitting on the bench since after their first recreation – that she hasn’t but had her likelihood to shine. With India’s batters performing much better in opposition to tempo than they’ve in opposition to spin in comparison with all different opposition at this occasion, King has the potential to trigger them some issues if she takes her likelihood.
Team news
India could also be tempted to swap out Devika Vaidya for a further bowler or allrounder as they give the impression of being to comprise Australia. Radha Yadav is a gun fielder and a secure selection with India more likely to go for one other spin choice over seam. She made method for Vaidya in opposition to Ireland since she was unwell however might power her method again in if match.
Alyssa Healy is match and out there for choice after lacking Australia’s ultimate group recreation in opposition to South Africa when she felt some discomfort in her left quad and all precautions have been taken provided that she has solely lately returned from a calf damage to the identical leg. Australia coped ably with out her, shifting Ellyse Perry to the highest of the order and bringing in allrounder Annabel Sutherland, however everybody is aware of what an asset a match Healy is to her aspect.
Australia (doable): Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (capt), Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
Pitch and situations
Newlands has been enjoying sluggish this summer season however there was significantly extra tempo on the floor over the last of the group video games on Tuesday. Cape Town had some rain within the lead-up to these matches which might have helped with that provided that the sq. has been baking for an excellent couple of months now. Thursday’s semi-final is more likely to be performed on a contemporary pitch with the high-quality, sunny however not-too-hot situations of match eve forecast to proceed into recreation day.
Stats and trivia
India are the most effective crew when it comes to scoring price in opposition to tempo bowling on this event, with Australia ranked second, however in opposition to spin, India’s strike price drops by 31 runs and they’re ranked sixth among the many 10 groups.
Over the previous 5 years, Australia have conceded 160-plus totals solely eight occasions and 5 of these have been to India.
Australia have overwhelmed India in 22 of their 30 T20I conferences and gained three of their 5 T20 World Cup clashes.
Quotes
“As a group, we are very calm and we know that teams are going to come pretty hard at this and they have done over the last few years, and just to be able to absorb some pressure, I think is really important. You’re not going to have it all your own way… big games, there’re key moments that come up and tomorrow will be no different. I feel like we’re in a really good spot to be able to stay nice and calm and composed in those moments and hopefully get the job done.” Captain Meg Lanning on Australia’s trademark psychological composure.
“They attack a lot so, whatever happens to them, even if the batter is out, they don’t stop attacking because they have batters from top to bottom. We also have batters from top to bottom so we will play an attacking game.” India’s Richa Ghosh on giving Australia a dose of their very own drugs.
Valkerie Baynes is a basic editor, ladies’s cricket, at ESPNcricinfo
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