Bharath Ramaraj in Dubai
Ellyse Perry is a legend of the game. That is an undisputed fact. But behind the scenes, she is also one of the most hardworking cricketers going around. Around three years ago, she was seen trying to rectify a flaw perhaps in relation to her load-up and front-arm for hours together. Just before Australia’s 2024 World Cup semifinal against South Africa, she didn’t do any of that, but the focus was on lower-back mobility exercises. Perry performed various exercises for a while before taking high catches.
From one of the proven performers of the game, the eyes zoomed in on a rising star – Phoebe Litchfield. From a slight distance, one could surmise that the crux of her practice was to skip down the deck and look to take the ball on the full. Incidentally, that has been a tried-and-tested formula for scoring runs in the desert in this World Cup. The bat was held up high, then the front foot moved a touch. That was followed by the back-foot trigger and a charge down the track. For a period of time, Litchfield continued to play in that fashion.
All of this would indicate that Australia still have the hunger to win more trophies. They have hoisted the T20 World Cup trophy on six occasions. In a few days’ time, the cabinet could just be adorned with one more of those glittering silverwares.
On the flip side, Australia have had injury setbacks. One of them is Alyssa Healy, the skipper. Healy, who sustained a foot injury against Pakistan, is a massive doubt for the semi-final. “As it stands, it’s the same thing for Midgie [Healy], the medical staff and the team are going to give her every opportunity and possibility of playing tomorrow night,” Perry noted. “I don’t think anything’s changed in that respect. We’ll just have to see in the next 24 hours.”
In her absence, Grace Harris made a vital contribution in the India-Australia encounter. Darcie Brown, who came in for the injured Tayla Vlaeminck in the same match, is a like-for-like replacement in terms of generating pace. Meanwhile, Tahlia McGrath is a capable captain, having led Adelaide Strikers to glory. Basically, it isn’t just Australia’s Playing XI but their bench strength that is also strong.
So, what about Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s captain? What did she think about the daunting prospect of her team going up against Australia? The experienced cricketer seemed calm and collected in the presser. “We had the two wins against them earlier this year [one each in ODIs and T20Is], so I think that just gives a bit of a positive energy in the camp,” she said.
That T20I victory Wolvaardt referred to came in Canberra. The South African captain and Tazmin Brits head set the platform with a 75-run opening stand. The duo are currently two of the top five run-getters in the tournament, with Brits taking pole position. South Africa have enough firepower in the tank in the bowling department as well. Nonkululeko Mlaba is a canny left-arm spinner, while Marizanne Kapp is the heartbeat of the side – both with bat and ball.
Even when Kapp doesn’t take wickets, she is expected to keep the runs down with her hit-the-deck seam bowling. Her excellent economy rate of 3.78 in the tournament vindicates that point. South Africa also have a couple of young pace-bowling all-rounders in Annerie Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk.
Just a glance at the form book and the talent on display, and it is clear that Australia are the favourites to come out on top once more. But the small caveat is that South Africa have played thrice in Dubai so far, compared to Australia’s lone outing. So, they might just have a little more knowledge about the prevailing conditions.
“If we play our best cricket, they are beatable,” quipped Wolvaardt. The last time these two sides met in a World Cup, Australia emerged victorious in South Africa’s own backyard in the 2023 final. South Africa can look back at that loss as a motivating factor. There seemed to be some dew when England took on West Indies at this stadium. It just adds a bit of intrigue to the toss.
Australia (likely XI): Beth Mooney (wk), Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (c), Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt.
South Africa (likely XI): Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marianne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.