Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
Excitement is soaring in Navi Mumbai as India are all set to face Australia today at the DY Patil Stadium in the semi-final of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. When both sides met earlier in the league stage in Vizag, the defending champions came out on top.
Now, all that matters is who wins this all-important knockout to face South Africa in the final on November 2. The Women in Blue are chasing their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, while the Aussies are aiming to defend their crown and lift the ODI World Cup for a record eighth time.
A huge crowd is expected, and a tight contest is on the cards. But rain could play spoilsport, with showers forecast for both today and Friday, which is the reserve day. If the game is washed out on both days, Australia will advance to the final as they finished higher on the league table, a heartbreaking scenario for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team.
League Stage Standings
Australia – 1st position, 13 points in 7 games (6 wins, 1 no result), NRR +2.102
India – 4th position, 7 points in 7 games (3 wins, 3 losses, 1 no result), NRR +0.628
Their Previous Meeting during the league stage
On October 12 in Vizag, India were asked to bat first and posted 330 runs in 48.5 overs. Smriti Mandhana scored 80, while Pratika Rawal made 75 as the pair added 115 runs for the opening wicket. Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh also chipped in with handy contributions.
For Australia, Annabel Sutherland was outstanding, using her slower balls cleverly to claim a five-wicket haul. Sophie Molineux supported her well with three wickets.
In reply, skipper Alyssa Healy led the chase with a superb 142 off 107 balls as Australia reached the target with one over and three wickets to spare. Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, and Ashleigh Gardner all played key roles with the bat. For India, Deepti Sharma and N Shree Charani picked up five wickets between them, but it was not enough. Healy was named Player of the Match.
Head-to-Head in ODIs
- Overall: 60 matches – India 11, Australia 49
- In India: 28 matches – India 5, Australia 23
- In Women’s World Cups: 14 matches– India 3, Australia 11
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Players to Watch Out For
India
Smriti Mandhana
A lot will depend on vice-captain Smriti, especially with Rawal ruled out due to injury. She will open the innings with Shafali Verma, and India will look to her for a solid start. Smriti is currently the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament with 365 runs in seven innings, averaging 60.83, including two fifties and a century. Her battle against Ashleigh Gardner will be crucial — Gardner has dismissed her five times (in 12 innings) in this format.
Renuka Singh Thakur
Renuka did not play in the league match against Australia, but her opening spell this time could be vital. If Healy misses out again, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll are likely to open. Renuka’s ability to swing the new ball into the stumps could trouble both. Even if Healy returns, Renuka’s accuracy and movement could test her as well. In four matches so far, she has taken three wickets at an economy rate of 3.93.
Australia
Annabel Sutherland
She has been brilliant with both bat and ball in this World Cup. She is the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets and has also scored 114 runs in five innings at an average of 38. Against India in the league stage, she used her slower balls smartly at the death to claim five wickets. Though she was dismissed for a duck in that game, her all-round ability makes her a key player once again.
Alana King
With 13 wickets in six innings, Alana King is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. In Australia’s last league game against South Africa in Indore, she picked up a sensational 7 for 18, extracting sharp turn and bounce. If she manages to find similar grip in Navi Mumbai, India’s batters could be in trouble. However, in the Vizag game against India, she went wicketless, conceding 49 runs in six overs.
Probable Playing XIs
India
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh
Australia
Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt
Also Read: India’s ‘semi-final’ prep: Shafali bowls, Richa absent ahead of Australia clash