A deserving finalist India and Australia would clash again, 3 weeks later than the triangular T-20 tournament, which also featured England. Australia beat India in that final, when they defended 155. Jess Jonassen picked up 5-for and Beth Mooney smashed 71. The world cup started and Indians turned the tables in a week's time by beating Australia, defending a score of 132. With each performance, they have become a confident side and are hard favorites for lifting the trophy.
Australian women, playing at home will have a huge advantage, but then the crowd would cheer for both teams equally. Australia, after losing to India in their first encounter, lifted their game to remain strong contenders for lifting the trophy too. They stopped south Africa from entering the finals in a rain depleted semi-finals.
Harmanpreet Kaur has to bring her A game into this finals, if India have a chance. Smriti Mandana have got starts, but is yet to play one decisive innings. Shafali Varma would continue to play fearless shots at the top, which is one of the main reasons for India's undefeated run. Jemima Rodrigues is a serious talent, whose consistency has benefitted India time and again. She was a perfect cover-up for Harman's poor form.
India would play to their strength of packing the bowling unit with 4 spinners and Shikha pandey. Harman would hope, they have one more good day at the park. Australia women's strong batting had problems only with slow bowlers and they would hate to face India's bowling unit, headed by Poonam Yadav. India's fielding has been top notch and wicket keeper Tanya has been wonderful behind the stumps for Indian spinners.
Australia would miss the services of Ellyse Perry, but Meg Lanning has a wonderful team, who could step up and be a cover for these misses. Ashley Gardner is a big match player, who along with Meg Lanning, are important players in the top order. Alyssa Healy is a sensational top order bat and she could destroy any attack on a day. Rachel Haynes' contribution at the lower order could add those important runs, which decides the fate of the game.
Jess Jonassen is the only bowler, whom Meg Lanning would rely on, to provide breakthroughs at different points of the game. Ellyse Perry would be seriously missed. The other bowlers have always been inconsistent in their performances. Australia fielding would make their bowlers strong, with their fielding and catching, which is high quality.
Both teams want to bat first and put the scoreboard pressure for their opponents and that way, the toss becomes so much more crucial. MCG is a perfect ground for hosting women's world cup T-20, which has come a long way in promoting the women's cricket and influencing young women to pick up this wonderful sport.
What better occasion than International Women's day to dedicate the world cup victory to their respective countries and women !!! All the best to both the teams...
Prediction:
India - 55 % - AUS - 45% - if India bat first
AUS - 60 % - India - 40 % - if AUS bat first
