Australia advanced to the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a nine-run victory against India. India must wait to see if they will join them in the last four. Australia maintained its record of reaching the semi-finals in every T20 World Cup while winning its 15th continuous match. India needed 152 to win and was supported by a loud and noisy crowd in Sharjah.
India batted strongly and positively to keep up with the pace. But it was Australia’s day. They needed 14 to win in the last over due to skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s brilliant 54 from 47 balls. Australian seamer Annabel Sutherland, though, maintains her composure as she manages to win with just four runs at the cost of three wickets. Without their injured captain, Alyssa Healy, AUS lost two early wickets but recovered to post their highest tournament score of 151-8.
Australia’s Winning Streak
The defending champions will likely top Group A after winning all four games. But second-placed India needs New Zealand to lose to Pakistan on Monday and be above both teams on net run rate (NRR) for it to continue. Australia has been successful in the competition until now, but injuries to Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck stopped their preparations for this game. Also, fast bowler Vlaeminck is out of the competition due to a dislocated shoulder.
Healy, who arrived at the stadium on crutches, has not been ruled out and will continue to have her foot issue evaluated. However, given Australia’s depth, injuries did not derail their unstoppable march to the win. AUS’ Grace Harris led the way with 40 runs from 41 balls, followed by Ellyse Perry and stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath, both with 32.
Middle-Order Struggles
Another blip saw Australia slide from 79-2 to 101-5, but Perry and Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 15 from 9 balls. Including a powerful six-over-square leg helped them finish with style. Megan Schutt, Sophie Molineux, and Darcie Brown lost three more catches for Australia. But the Indian skipper did admit that their great fielding was the crucial difference between the sides.
India opened strongly and led 41-2 at the end of the powerplay at the same point. India finally showed some true intent, with Kaur and Sharma hitting the boundary off Molineux. The left-arm spinner has the final laugh as Sharma heaves her straight to Georgia Wareham on the square leg boundary rope. If New Zealand beats Pakistan on Monday, India will be eliminated, while the Kiwis will continue. Pakistan still has an outside chance if they win.
Final Verdict
India collapsed because of Australia’s spinners in the middle overs. However, a fourth-wicket combination of 63 between Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma, who smashed 29 from 25, improved hopes for a stunning victory. Despite falling short, India has a chance to go to the semi-finals. However, if they are eliminated, it will be due to their earlier results in the competition.
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