Heading into their second match of the Women’s World T20 tournament today, India and Australia are hunting perfection when they face Pakistan and Ireland respectively at the National Stadium, Providence.
Historically, India and Pakistan are known for their intense rivalry and the teams will not be holding anything back when they take to the field in this International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament.
India has so far dominated while Pakistan has been dominated.
For India, their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was the anchor of the first match and will once again look to get their side among the runs. Kaur suffered abdominal cramps during the first match but according to vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, there is no issue with Kaur or any member of the side.
The 22-year-old deputy stated that the team takes one match at a time and Friday’s game is done and dusted and the team has reset its focus on Pakistan.
The vice-captain says that there was no pressure on the side but she has to step up and give a good account of herself with the bat after failing against New Zealand.
Despite a commanding win, the Brisbane Heat batter pointed out that the team could have capitalized better in the power play and bowled a bit tighter in the back end of the innings, which the team has been working on to remedy.
The left-handed batter said that India had done their research on Pakistan and while they haven’t seen much of them they are not singling out any player since, according to her, any player can come and take the game away on their day.
Mandhana said conditions were not much different from those in India.
Similarly, Australia’s Beth Mooney was focused on her team adapting to the conditions quickly.
The opening batter stated that the wicket was pretty good to bat on and with the firepower at the top the boundaries are going to be pummelled if they get going.
Mooney, an explosive batter in her own right was happy to play the spectator as Alyssa Healy went berserk. Mooney said that Healy’s boundary hitting was welcomed since running between the wickets in the heat was not easy.
Looking to better their performance following their win over Pakistan, Mooney said the team needs to evolve into the environment and take full advantage of the conditions. She said the girls from ‘down under’ will look to capitalize on the power play.
She affirmed that there was the issue of improving their fielding.
Mooney stated that it was interesting to see the contrast in the pitches from the practice and the matches themselves but nevertheless they are chasing perfection.
During the post-match conference, Healy who was the player of the match in the first game said, the structure of the side allows the players the flexibility to come out and give it a go with their top eight all having experience at the top of the order. She is happy with her role and those of the younger players who have stepped up.
Mooney pointed out that Australia does not know many of the girls from Ireland but having played with Isobel Joyce and Kim Garth in the Women’s Big Bash they have an idea of what to expect from the team
India play Pakistan from 11 am while Australia and Ireland clash at 4 pm.
