Match Preview: West Indies v Australia – Semi-final 1

Semi-Final 1 Match Preview: West Indies vs Australia



Date: November 22, 2018



Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua



Of the two semi-finals, this one has the potential to be the most explosive. It has the added ingredient that it a repeat of the previous final in 2016 which West Indies won by 8 wickets.



It raised some questions in the ability of the Australian side that had rarely been seen before. Those questions lingered with Australia as recently as last years' World Cup. They were blitzed out of the semi-finals thereby Harmanpreet Kaur and her India side.



This year, Australia went into the final round of group games as favourites. Things had gone great for the Southern Stars as Alyssa Healy was scoring runs by the bucket load. The old frailties had seemingly disappeared at least at the T20 level. Excellent form on the back of the Women’s Big Bash had seen Australia’s stock rise once again.



What India did in that final group game was to unsettle Australia, not helped by the concussion to Healy after she ran into Megan Schutt. Australia will hope that their inspirational wicket-keeper and opening bat recovers in time for the match on Thursday as she helps set the tone for the Australia side.



West Indies have had a much easier ride in qualifying top of their group with the toughest opponents being England who they beat in a close final group game. Their big-time players such as Deandra Dottin, Stefanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews have all stood up at least once over the course of the group games and West Indies will go into the semi-final full of confidence.



The crowds in St Lucia really got behind the side and helped them over the line during spells when they were under pressure. The form of Australia and India in the other group has allowed West Indies to a certain extent fly under the radar.



 



Players to watch out for:



Meg Lanning



The captain will have a huge amount of pressure on her shoulders, which luckily for her given her injury to her shoulder are only metaphorical. The Australian batting line-up had evolved some real power-hitting around her that means she can pace an innings and bat in a place that helps the team through difficult moments. So, don’t bet against her showing her true class at the most important times of the tournament.



Deandra Dottin



Not only is Dottin West Indies leading run scorer, but she is also their leading wicket-taker during the competition. She is their player most likely to hit sixes. When West Indies lost early wickets against England there may have been a hint of panic in players of lesser ability. She reads the game well and is just what West Indies need now when they have come to the knock-out stages.



 



Conditions:



Only two women’s T20 internationals have been played at this venue. Both were in 2012 and the highest first innings score was 101 for 9.



This, however, is a world t20 semi-final, which means that the track produced will be suitable for attacking cricket for both the batter and bowler. There should be plenty of runs available.

Numbers to look out for:

• Highest chase in World T20 semi-final - England - 165 for 2 v Australia, 2009.



• Highest score in World T20 semi-final - New Zealand - 180 for 5 v West Indies, 2010.



• Lowest total successfully defended in World T20 semi-final - Australia - 115 for 7 v West Indies, 2012.



• Ellyse Perry needs 3 wickets to become the second player to take 100 T20I wickets.



• Ellyse Perry needs 52 runs to score 1000 T20I runs.

 



Who said what:

"Coming up against the West Indies, we know they're a very dangerous team, and in a World Cup it is always very difficult to win semi-finals. It's a new game tomorrow. We're really excited about the opportunity that we've got to play in a World Cup semifinal in front of a really big crowd." - Meg Lanning

"You know, that's (the 2016 Final), that's the past, and tomorrow is definitely what counts. I have a feeling that the Aussies might look at it as revenge, but for us, that's the past, and tomorrow's game is definitely what counts." - Stafanie Taylor

 



Teams:



West Indies: Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McLean, Britney Cooper, Kycia Knight (wk), Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell



Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Elyse Villani, Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt