Published: Apr 02, 2016, 04:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 02, 2016, 04:53 PM (IST)
Australia and West Indies lock horns in the final of ICC Women’s World T20 2016 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. While it is the fourth appearance in a final of the World T20 for the Southern Stars, it is the very first time for West Indies Women. They were knocked out of the semi-final in the last three editions of T20 World Cup. The Southern Stars are a win away from making history, as they challenge for a fourth consecutive World T20 title, on the other hand, it will be a maiden title win if the Windies manage to go past the Australians on Sunday. It’s also the first time a team other than Australia, England or New Zealand will play in the World T20 finale. Full Cricket Scorecard: Australia Women vs West Indies Women, Final match, ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2016
The Southern Stars have a vast experience of playing in the finals of World tournaments, thus giving them an easy edge against West Indies Women. The Australian Women have won the last three World T20s trophies—2010, 2012 and 2014—and not to forget their recent triumphs in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2015 and Women’s Ashes. Meg Lanning and Co have witnessed every success possible in the sport in the recent times. They have to just keep their calm and play their natural game.
In the semi-final against England Women, the Southern Stars showed why they are ranked No. 1 in the shortest format of the game. The English Women restricted their opposition to 132 in 20 overs before getting off to a flier. They lost their first wicket only in the 10th over and by then they had 67 runs on board. More than half of the runs were scored with remaining 10 overs. However, the Southern Stars kept their cool and shocked their opponents as they came back remarkably to win that contest by five runs in the final over. ALSO READ: Australia vs West Indies, Women’s T20 World Cup 2016: Stefanie Taylor says West Indies Women not intimidated
On the other hand, since Windies Women, who are playing a World T20 final for the first time, will surely be under immense pressure of performing. It will be interesting to watch how they handle the situation at the iconic Eden Gardens on Sunday. The West Indian Women have a flaw, which the Australian side will surely target—their over dependency on skipper Stephanie Taylor—with both bat and ball. She is their highest wicket-taker and run-scorer in this edition of World T20. She has scored 187 runs off five matches and has picked eight scalps in as many matches.
Eden’s pitch once again being batting friendly will demand the spinners to play the bigger role in order to stop the hitters from going big. The spinning department of Windies led by Stephanie will have to save their best for the big day. The likes of Shaquana Quintyne and Afy Fletcher will have to step up and do their job from the other end. ALSO READ: Alex Blackwell: Gained some inspiration from Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni on running between wickets
Meanwhile, the Southern Stars rely on their skipper Meg for majority of runs. To their delight, Meg’s opening partner Elyse Villani has also been in good touch with the bat, which has reduced some burden off Meg’s shoulders. The pick of the bowlers for Southern Stars has been Megan Schutt, who has seven wickets from five matches. Nevertheless, the spinners—Jess Jonassen, Erin Osborne and Kristen Beams—will have to do their bit if they have to stop this confident bunch of Windies’ Women.
It has been a great year for West Indies Cricket. The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup was claimed by them defeating the Indian U-19 boys in the final. Darren Sammy and Co also have made it to the final of World T20 and they will play England later in the day at Eden Gardens. They surely will be present in the stadium cheering for their countrywomen, who will be playing their first final.
Squads:
West Indies Women: Stafanie Taylor (c), Shakera Selman (vc), Merissa Aguilleira (wk), Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Stacy-Ann King, Kyshona Knight, Kycia Knight (wk), Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shaquana Quintyne, Tremayne Smartt
Australia Women: Elyse Villani, Alyssa Healy (wk), Ellyse Perry, Alex Blackwell, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Erin Osborne, Megan Schutt, Rene Farrell, Kristen Beams, Lauren Cheatle, Nicola Carey, Beth Mooney, Holly Ferling, Sarah Coyte
TIME: (14:30 IST | 09:00 GMT)
(Sakshi Gupta, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a sports fanatic whose mantra in life is “do only what you enjoy.” Her Twitter handle is @sakshi2929)
