Multiple-time winners, Australia are more or less through to yet another semi-finals in the Women’s T20 World Cup tournament. Alyssa Healy and her side have won all their games so far to sit pretty at the top of the table with 6 points. The game on Sunday against India will give Australia the chance to end their group phase with a perfect record.
Australia began the tournament with a 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka. This was followed by their 60-run win over New Zealand. On Friday they swatted aside the Pakistani challenge to win their 3rd game by 9 wickets.
Most members of the Australian team have been playing against India a lot in recent times. The Aussie players have also been part of the Women’s Premier League in India and know how most of India’s players will prepare for the game.,
Here is the likely Australia XI for the final T20I against India
Top order –Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry
Australian skipper and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy has been in top form in recent times. In the game against Pakistan, she scored 37 from 23 balls with 5 hits to the fence. Healy walked off the field retired hurt but is expected to be fit to play India on Sunday. Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry scored 15 and 22 with the bat to help their side register an easy win by 9 wickets.
Middle Order – Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Wareham
Aussie all-rounder Ashleigh Gardener was the best player on Friday with the ball in hand. Her 4/21 from 4 overs broke the back of the Pakistani batting unit to bowl them out for just 82. With the bat, Gardener scored 7 not out and saw the match through with Perry. Phoebe Litchfield didn’t get a chance to bat on Friday but India will be wary of the talent she has with the willow. Georgia Wareham picked 2/16 from her 4 overs to end a great night for the Australian side.
Lower-order – Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux
Veteran star McGrath bowled just 2 overs gave away 4 runs and was economical with the ball in hand. McGrath was one of the best players during the WPL 2024 season for her side and knows the strengths of most Indian players. Annabell Sutherland bowled 2.5 overs and picked 2/15 including the wickets of Sidra Amin and top scorer Aliya Riaz. Sophie Molineux bowled 4 overs gave away 19 runs and got the key wicket of skipper Muneeba Ali for 7.
Tail enders – Megan Schutt and V Tayla
Pacer Megan Schutt bowled with good lines and lengths to pick 1/7 from her 3 overs. Her only scalp was that of Sadaf Shamas for 3 as the Aussies ran riot against Pakistan. 25-year-old Tayla Vlaeminck didn’t get a chance to bowl but will hope to do well against India.
Australia XI vs India
Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia McGrath, Annabell Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck.
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