Time: March 30, 3:30 AM IST
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Pitch Report
First things first, heavy showers are forecasted for early morning and hence there’s likely to be some delay. As the day progresses, the sun will shine upon Wellington.
Given the weather, the seamers are likely to get extra movement in the first innings. With the chasing team having won three of five games here, captains will look to bowl first and get the most out of the conditions.
Teams
Probable XI for Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
Probable XI for West Indies: Deandra Dottin, Rashada Williams, Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Kycia Knight, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Meg Lanning has scored the bulk of the runs for Australia. Her 358 runs includes a hundred and two fifties in seven games. Against West Indies, her numbers are outstanding: two hundreds and three fifties in 10 games.
Among both teams, Hayley Matthews has accumulated the most fantasy points on My11Circle with her all-round skills: 226 runs, 10 wickets, and 6 catches.
Rachael Haynes was the top run-scorer (83* off 95) in the league game between these teams. Although her form has dipped in the last two games, her average still reads 57 in the tournament.
Smart Picks
Barring her 50 off 91 against Australia, Stafanie Taylor has not made any significant contribution in the tournament. However, her numbers against Australia may give her a sigh of relief: 357 runs and 12 wickets in 11 games.
Australia’s spin trio has done the most of the damage: Jess Jonassen, Ashleigh Gardner, and Alana King have taken 8 wickets each. It will be a challenging task for the West Indians to launch a counterattack against such quality bowlers.
Deandra Dottin has scored 165 runs, taken 3 wickets, and pouched 5 catches, giving vital fantasy points in all departments. She does both: start the innings with her fiery batting and defend a total with her death bowling. She is a woman of many talents.
Alyssa Healy has had only two moments of glory in seven innings. Otherwise, she has failed to convert her good starts. If West Indies don’t stop her onslaught, Australia’s aggressive middle-order will put the final nail in the coffin.
Shamilia Connell provides wickets in the powerplay and at the death. She has taken six wickets in as many games.
Beth Mooney won the Player of the Match award for her courageous knock of 66* off 75 against Bangladesh. Overall, she has managed 225 runs in seven games.
Match Preview
Australia have lost only once in fourteen games against West Indies in the format, and the only defeat came in the 2013 World Cup.
While Australia have been invincible, West Indies have pulled off improbable victories and squandered opportunities against inexperienced teams. Nonetheless, one bad day can erase the hard work of seven consecutive wins. It’s difficult to draw conclusions for an important game such as the semi-final.
