Australia is one win away from a 3rd consecutive ladies’s T20 World Cup title however solely after they survived an almighty scare from an Indian group that might have received had Harmanpreet Kaur not been run out in brutal circumstances.
India appeared in all kinds after they misplaced three wickets within the first 4 overs chasing Australia’s imposing whole of 4/172, however a 69-run partnership between Kaur (52 off 34) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24) swung momentum their manner.
The pair had them effectively above the run fee when Rodrigues was caught behind off Darcie Brown’s bowling simply after the drinks break, and luck appeared to be going their manner when Alyssa Healy couldn’t repeat the rose to drop Kaur on 36 with India nonetheless needing 64 for victory.
Kaur made essentially the most of her life to carry up a half-century having frolicked in hospital coping with sickness main as much as the match.
But her heroics ended within the fifteenth over when a regulation two led to tragedy when her bat plugged within the turf simply in need of her crease, permitting Healy to whip off the bails to have Kaur run out in a world T20 for the primary time in 5 years.
It was the start of the tip for India whose hopes have been dashed when Richa Ghosh – their final recognised batter – was caught on the boundary on Brown’s remaining ball.
They fell 5 runs in need of what would have been the best chase in World Cup historical past, with Ellyse Perry producing some moments of magic within the subject to get Australia over the road as Ash Gardner held her nerve with the ball within the remaining over.
“Bowling the last over, I reckon my average heart rate was probably 190,” Gardner stated after accumulating the participant of the match award because of 31 runs and two wickets.
“I think that shows the way that we fight at the end as a team. That’s what we spoke about in the huddle right at the end was that we probably weren’t in a winning position, but that’s what this team does best.
“When our backs are up against the ball, we find a way and we scrap really hard.
“The fight that we showed shows the character of this team.”
MOONEY MAGIC
While the boys’s Test facet resides out a nightmare on the subcontinent, the ladies are on monitor for extra glory after seeing off the facet they defeated three years in the past on a historic night time on the MCG.
Healy signalled her intent with a boundary from the primary ball of the match in her return from a quad harm as Australia’s high 4 all reached 25 to assist them submit a commanding whole.
Mooney continued her unbelievable summer season, with the Belinda Clark Award winner smashing her second half-century in three matches after a sluggish begin to the match.
Her 54 took the sting out of the Indian assault earlier than skipper Meg Lanning got here in and blasted an unbeaten 49 off 34 together with two sixes within the remaining over as Australia piled on 103 runs from the ultimate 10 overs.
“I was getting a little nervous,” Lanning stated after the sport.
“We got a little lucky with Kaur’s wicket, but we stayed in the game.”
OH MY GHOSH
The previous adage that catches win matches got here again to hang-out India, with Ghosh developing with some pricey errors with the gloves.
The gifted teenager spilled a tricky likelihood when Lanning was on one because the skipper loved a little bit of luck in a chaotic few balls as she was caught moments later off a free hit.
She survived the drama however ought to have been stumped a few overs later when she was on 9, just for Ghosh to juggle the ball which gave Lanning sufficient time to get again in her crease.
Mooney was additionally given a life on 32 when Shafali Verma spilled a sitter on the boundary which proved telling in the long run.
“We gave some easy catches away,” Kaur stated.
“We have to take those chances.”
ROYAL HEADACHE
Alana King has been a mainstay of the Aussie group since she made her worldwide T20 debut simply over a yr in the past, however she’s now combating for a spot within the decider after lacking out on choice in Friday’s semi-final.
The gifted leg-spinner was economical however went wicketless within the 4 pool video games, prompting selectors to recall the extra skilled Jess Jonassen.
The transfer appeared to have backfired when she was whacked for 18 from her first two overs, however the veteran stood tall when it mattered most, conceding simply 4 runs and taking a wicket within the penultimate over to go away India needing 16 off six deliveries.
Ash Gardner held her nerve with the ball, and the consequence means Australia is thru to a seventh-straight T20 World Cup remaining the place they’ll face both England or match hosts South Africa.
Originally revealed as ‘My average heart rate was probably 190’: Australia survive epic contest to succeed in World Cup remaining
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
