Published: Jul 15, 2017, 11:04 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 15, 2017, 11:29 AM (IST)
It has come down to this. India will face New Zealand in a do-or-die contest to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, while others – Australia, England, and South Africa – will battle to finish at the top of the ladder, on the last day of the group stage. However, if the already-qualified teams as well as New Zealand lose by a huge margin, India will ace the points table. Despite winning the first four matches, India have put themselves at the brink of exit. If they lose the Derby match, then New Zealand, who have one point fewer than them, will reach the penultimate stage.
Both India and New Zealand have lost against the defending champions Australia. However, India managed to edge past England in their opening contest, while New Zealand were handed a 75-run thrashing by the hosts. I don’t see why 7,000 runs are not possible for Mithali: Nooshin
Game plan
Punam Raut scored a stylish 106 against Australia. With captain Mithali Raj, she added 157 for the second wicket after India lost Smriti Mandhana in the fourth over. In the same contest, Mithali became the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs. In all, India batted well to post 227-run target. Be that as it may, the total looked meagre, as Australia attained it with 29 balls to spare. It, in fact, was India’s inability to scale up the run rate in the middle overs that cost them such crucial tie.
Their bowling lacked teeth. Of course, Australia hammered so much so that they were reduced to rubble. However, India failed to put a spirit performance. To make matters worse, they were mediocre in the field, failing to provide assistance to their dented bowlers. That said, India are likely to play the same playing XI.
Likely XI for India: Punam Raut, Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Sushma Verma, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Deepti Sharma, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav
Against West Indies, New Zealand chased down 151 in 18.2 overs. Against Pakistan, they chased down 145 in 15 overs. Against Sri Lanka, they chased down 189 in 37 overs. You get the gist. New Zealand have swashbuckling batters in their armoury who, on their day, can obliterate the opposition. They first skittle down the opposition for a paltry total. Then they smother their bowlers with their aggressive brand of cricket.
Like India, they too do not toy with their playing XI.
Likely XI for New Zealand: Suzie Bates (c), Rachel Priest (wk), Sophie Devine, Katey Martin, Amy Satterthwaite, Katie Perkins, Maddy Green, Lea Tahuhu, Amelia Kerr, Leigh Kasperek, Hannah Rowe
Prediction
India heavily rely on Mandhana if they are to put up a big total. Although Mithali and Raut have been amongst runs, they have often slowed down the run rate. To fan the fire, their middle order could never capitalise the laid foundation. Apart from Sushma Verma’s late flourish in a few matches, none of the batters could use the long handle to blasting effect.
New Zealand are fortunate in that department. They have batters who know only the aggressive way. Suzie Bates and Amy Satterwaite have been their star performers with the bat. If at all India falter, New Zealand will smash them to pulp.
The Derby track will slightly be on the slower side. Spinners will come into play early, but anything short will be generously dispatched into the crowd.
Time: 10:30 local | 09:30 GMT | 15:00 IST
