The last time these two met in the World Cup – exactly a week ago – Australia overpowered India by eight wickets. It was a straightforward chase after India collapsed for 226 despite Punam Raut’s century and captain Mithali Raj’s 69.
But this time things are different. India are coming into the semifinal on the back of an amazing win over New Zealand in the last match and have the momentum with them. Almost everyone came together and clicked as an attacking unit against the White Ferns, the instinct that was lacking against Australia. Playing in Derby where India have been unbeaten so far, Mithali Raj and Co will back themselves for another inspired show.
However, standing between India and their second World Cup final appearance are six-time former and current defending champions Australia. The holders have lost only match in the tournament so far, a narrow three-run loss to England, and have been in rare form.
Both teams have some talented individual players who have shone through their run to the semifinal. But to reach the final, these players will have to translate their potential into performance in a high-pressure game. Every ball, every run, every daring stop will be a tussle between the intense Australia and the focused India. Here are some of the key match-ups that might just go on to decide the tone and result of the match.
Meg Lanning vs Indian spin quartet
That Meg Lanning will be the wicket India will want to get the most is no understatement. Australia’s captain and the leading ODI batter in the world missed two games in the group stages with a shoulder injury. But such is her calibre, she is still seventh in list of highest run-getters this World Cup with 328 runs in only five matches. She also has a brilliant average of 109.33, including an impressive 158 not out against Sri Lanka. The Player of the Match in their earlier game with an unbeaten 76 from 88 balls, she averages 59.1 in eight ODI innings against India.
But the three times that Lanning has got out in the tournament, all three have been to spinners; Stafanie Taylor against West Indies, Amelia Kerr against New Zealand and Alex Hartley against England. And spin will also be India’s best chance to get the Australian captain early. India’s four-pronged spin attack – Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht/Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Harmanpreet Kaur – have been effective all throughout the tournament with a whopping 36 wickets between them including two fifers. At Derby, a ground where India has cruised so far, they will bank on their spin quartet to stall the high-flying Lanning.
Mithali Raj vs Kristen Beams
If India will be wary of Lanning, Australia will not rest any easier over the Indian captain either. Mithali Raj piles up the runs, no matter what. There are times when she may play out dot balls or not run between the wickets, but she will stay at the crease and score runs. Australia saw this in the last game where she grinded out 69 from 114 balls. Australia will have also seen how the highest run-getter in ODI history has worked her way to three half-centuries and a century this World Cup to be placed fourth on the runs.
What will trouble them more is the fact that she is averaging 60.25 at Derby in the four matches she has played there. Any team’s best chance to stop Raj is to get her out early, as South Africa and Pakistan. For this purpose, Australia could turn to leg-spinner Kristen Beams who has been the forefront of Australia’s spin attack in England, which will have to take up even more responsibility in Derby. The highest wicket-taker for the Southern Stars this tournament got India’s highest run-getter in the last match with a simple return catch the last time and will be hoping to get the prized wicket again.
Ellyse Perry vs Deepti Sharma
A battle of the both team’s best all-rounders, both Perry and Sharma have the ability to change the game with both bat and ball. Considered among the top all-rounders in women’s cricket, Perry has been in superlative form this World Cup with five successive half-centuries at an average over 91 and has taken nine wickets so far. In fact, the last time she played India, Perry took 2/37 and scored an unbeaten 60.
In comparison, Sharma went wicketless in the match and for some strange reason was demoted to No 9 and played only two balls for five runs in that match. But throughout the tournament, the teenager has shown her great maturity with both bat and ball. She has taken nine wickets with her offspin, bowling her full quota of overs, and the top-order bat is also the fourth-highest run-getter for India. Sharma may not have Perry’s experience but she makes up for that with her strongminded approach, apart from being a livewire on the field. Her contribution at the top of the order will be crucial for India as they look for a place in the final.
Jhulan Goswami vs Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney
Australia’s opening pair of Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney are both left-handed, which prompted India to give offspinner Deepti Sharma the new ball the last they played each other. But that didn’t work out as well in the chase, with an opening partnership of 62 which was broken only in the 15th over. If Bolton and Mooney get going similarly in the semifinal, India will have a tough time curbing the prolific duo who put up a stand of 171 – the best opening partnership this World Cup.
In a match as crunch as the semifinal, India will look to veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami for a wicket right at the start of the innings. The 34-year-old has not been among wickets lately with only five so far in this tournament. Even though she was taken for runs in the last match against Australia, her experience will be invaluable as India will look for quick breakthroughs – just as she did against New Zealand with an alert return catch off Rachel Priest. Her presence will be reassurance to Shikha Pandey if they share the new ball. The onus will also be on her to rally the rest of the Indian bowling attack against the Australians who have taken bowlers apart with ease.