The Indian bowlers blew away the Australian top-order but Wareham and Jonassen’s unbeaten 50-run partnership powered Australia to 129 for eight. In reply, the Indian batters were skittled out for 85.
The fur let India down formerly again as it collapsed like a pack of cards to suffer a 44- run loss to Australia in a low- scoring Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match then on Monday.
Asked to address, the Indian bowlers blew away the Australian top- order but tail- enders Georgia Wareham( 32) and Jess Jonassen’s( 22) unbeaten 50- run cooperation powered Australia to 129 for eight.
In reply, the Indian batters were skittled out for 85 in 15 overs.
It was the alternate successive time that the fur has let India down. The ‘ Women in Blue ’ had suffered a analogous collapse in the tri-series final last week against South Africa.
With all its prowess in fur, immorality of the bowlers could prove the platoon dear. This was its achilles pitch during the home series in Australia, with the absence of Pooja Vastrakar due to injury hurting the platoon’s chances. Vastrakar is now fit and the seasoned Shikha Pandey is back in the team, vastly strengthening the platoon. Harmanpreet believes Shikha, who returned to the team after further than a time, will be inestimable to the side “ She( Pandey) is someone who can swing the ball in the Powerplays and she’s endured in the death overs also. ”
The bowlers have been working hard under the vigilant eyes of trainer Troy Cooley.
Among other brigades, England, led by Heather Knight, is one of the favourites to make to the knockouts. England is a strong white- ball platoon comprising reputed players like Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver, Lauren Winfield- Hill and Danni Wyatt, and has been harmonious in major events. Pakistan, meanwhile, will depend on seasoned professionals Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar and Javeria Khan, to make an impact. There wo n’t be any time to ease into the event as its first match is the each-important bone
againstarch-rival India( on February 12). Pakistan has a bunch of talented and educated cricketers but it has so far plodded to master the T20 format so it remains to be seen whether it puts up a fight against the top tykes . Bowling remains its stronger suit, while the middle order needs a bit of fine- tuning.
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the brigades in Group One. Australia will be the favourite to win the title, especially now that Meg Lanning is back as captain. The side will be hoping to use its warm-up match against India on February 6 to familiarise itself with the conditions.
Australia knows how to handle pressure on the big stage, having dominated women’s justice across formats. It won the ODI World Cup last time and settled the gold order at the Commonwealth Games, too. The fur line- up comprising Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry, is redoubtable.
McGrath, Mooney and Perry had a fruitful stint of India, and the fact that Perry returned to form after being sidelined from the T20 format for while is indeed a huge plus.
Pacer Darcie Brown( four for 17) was the saboteur- in- chief as she gutted up the Indian top- order, taking the vital raniums of Shafali Verma( 2), Smriti Mandhana( 0) and Richa Ghosh( 5).
The woeful run of Jemimah Rodrigues, who opened the innings alongside Shafali, continued as she was out on oh while commander Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t club.
Harleen Doel( 12) showed some intent, hitting two fours before succumbing to a run out while Deepti Sharma was the top- arranger as the all- rounder remained unbeaten on 19. She could have taken India over the line had someone stayed with her till the end.
Before, expert leader Shikha Pandey( two for nine) struck in her first two overs to shoot Australia commander Meg Lanning( 0) and Tahlia McGrath( 2) quilting.
A run out by Radha Yadav spelt the end of Ellyse Perry( 1) as Australia was reeling at 10 for three.
Ash Gardner( 22) and Beth Mooney( 28) handed some resistance but Pooja Vastrakar( two for 16) and Radha Yadav( two for 22) ran through the middle- order.
Renuka Singh, who had an off day, was the most precious bowler for India, giving away 39 runs in three overs.
But the Indians could n’t break the cooperation between Wareham and Jonassen who participated five fours and three sixes between them. Know More Women’s Cricket News…
