1st Semi-Final, Cape Town, February 23, 2023, 06:30 PM
Australia Women
172/4(20.0ov)
India Women
167/8(20.0ov)
Australia Women beat India Women by 5 runs
That is it from this game then! Australia, the defending champions, make it through to the finals but the question is, who will they be facing? That will be decided, on the 24th of this month, it is a clash between South Africa and England. That game begins at 1830 IST (1300 GMT). Till then, goodbye and take care!
Meg Lanning says it was a great fightback! Admits they were not at their best. States they did not hit the right lengths, India came hard at them and they expected it to come down to the wire but she is pleased they came out on top in the clutch moments. Adds they were lucky in Kaur's wicket but they need such luck to in big games. Adds they were calm and composed, they love the big moments and they look forward to the finals.
Harmanpreet Kaur says the way they came back into the game was realy good but she did not expect them to lose. Adds her run out was unlucky but she is pleased they took this game till the last ball. Mentions the result was not in their favor but she is pleased with how the team played. Also says they love to chase, they wanted to chase and despite losing early wickets, they were backing themselves. Credits Jemimah Rodrigues for the way she played. Admits the fielding was not at its best but they can only learn from this and do well going ahead.
Ashleigh Gardner, PLAYER OF THE GAME, says she was very tensed bowling the last over. Adds the team showed a lot of character and fought back from a tough situation. Adds they started well with the bat but were not at their best with the ball. Informs she just wanted to bowl wicket to wicket and it went off well. Adds, it is great to spend some time in the middle and she was just trying to keep it simple and hit the ball well.
... PRESENTATION TIME ...
India will be disappointed with their fielding earlier on and that has proved to be the difference. The drop of Beth Mooney really cost them as it is because of her Australia got to a really good score. Also, there were quite a few misfield, India at least gave away 10 more runs than they should have and they lost just by the 5 runs. Yet again, India lose a game against the Aussies which they should have won.
For the Aussies, it was a tough day in the field but they showed great character and won the key moments. Darcie Brown along with Ashleigh Gardner were brilliant. The rest were quite on and off. What was surprising was the amount of extras Australia bowled but it did not cost them in the end.
India were first down and out at 3 down for not a lot inside the Powerplay. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur then counter-attacked and turn the tide towards their side. Jemimah Rodrigues fell but Kaur continued along with Richa Ghosh! It came down to India needing around 40 in 34 and then, Kaur was run out in a very unfortunate manner. The Aussie bowlers then kept their cool and ensured it is them, who came out on top.
It is Australia yet again who manage to keep their calm and come out on top to march into yet another final! Have to say, this was India's game to lose. Not sure if you can call Harmanpreet Kaur's run out a fortunate one for the Aussies and an unfortunate one for India but that is what changed the game. However, what a second innings it was. It swung from one way to the another.
In over# 20
4
1
0W
1
2
2
Ashleigh Gardner 37/2(4)
19.6
4
FOUR! It does not matter as it is a legal delivery! Australia make their way into yet another final! This is tossed up on off, it is hit over cover for a boundary. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 5 RUNS!
19.5
1
Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one. 10 needed on the last ball. A legal delivery will mean Australia win.
19.4
W
OUT! TAKEN! Radha Yadav tries her best! She steps out and swings without getting close to the pitch of the ball but holes out to the fielder at long on. Ellyse Perry takes it.
19.3
1
Just the one! Deepti Sharma is off strike too! On off, this is hit towards mid off for one.
19.2
2
Two more! On off, this is hit wide of long on for a couple. India need boundaries.
19.1
2
Two! Fuller and outside off, this is hit through covers for two.
In over# 19
0W
0
2
0
1
1
Jess Jonassen 22/1(3)
18.6
W
OUT! TIMBER! Jess Jonassen strikes! India left with a huge task in the last over. Sneh Rana steps out but fails to get to the pitch of the ball.She swings and misses and the ball hits the stumps.
18.5
.
Really full and on middle, Rana jams it out towards cover. Dots are gold at the moment.