ICC Women’s World T20: India crash out in semi-final against England, Australia trounce West Indies

India's dreams of winning ICC Women’s World T20 were shattered after batting collapse saw them crash to an eight-wicket defeat against England in the semi-finals. England will now meet Australia in the summit clash after the Southern Stars beat defending champions West Indies by 72 runs.

The moment @englandcricket booked their place in the #WT20 final, and the celebrations that followed! 🎉#ENGvIND #WatchThis pic.twitter.com/Ik0T5eKX3C

— ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) November 23, 2018

Chasing 113 for a place in the final, England did not get off to an ideal start as they lost Tammy Beaumont in the second over and Danielle Wyatt in the fifth to Indian spinners, who dominated the powerplay.

ALSO READ | MC Mary Kom assures India of silver in World Boxing Championship

However, Amy Ellen Jones and Natalie Sciver joined forces to first rebuild the innings and then bat India out of the game. Amy Jones (53 no, 47 balls) and Natalie Sciver (52 off 40 balls) added 92 runs for the unbroken third-wicket stand to finish the match in only 17.1 overs.

Poor game sense of not reading the pitch also played its part as most of the Indian batswomen charged at the deliveries rather than playing deep inside the crease.

India's biggest hope skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (16 off 20 balls) hit a six but spinners Kirstie Gordon (2/20), Heather Knight (3/9) and Sophie Ecclestone (2/22) ran through middle and lower order with seven players failing to reach double figures. From 89/2, India lost eight wickets for just 23 runs as they were bowled out for a below-par score. 

ALSO READ | Kubica returns to F1 after horror crash which almost severed his arm

India dropped the senior most player Mithali Raj from the squad, a move that will certainly be questioned. Mithali had been in great form in the World T20, scoring 56 and 51 against Pakistan and Ireland. However, in the game against Ireland, she suffered an injury and was rested for the game against Australia which India won by a convincing margin of 48 runs. 

England will no battle three-time champions Australia, who trounced the hosts and defending champions West Indies in the first semi-final. 

Dominant Southern Stars

After a sluggish group stage in which they lost to India, Australia brought their A-game to the semi-final. Alyssa Healy, who was injured in the game against India and did not bowl, was the star in the batting. Healy and Meg Lanning shared a 51-run stand for the second wicket but Healy was unlucky to miss out on a fifty, with Afy Fletcher dismissing her for 46. Lanning's stands with Ashleigh Gardner helped the team cross 100 and some lusty blows from Rachael Haynes helped Australia end on a competitive 142/5

In response, West Indies had no response to the discipline of the Australian bowling. Barring Stephanie Taylor, no other West Indies batter reached double figures. Ellyse Perry, with 2/2 in two overs, once again proved to be the key player by dismissing the dangerous Deandra Dottin cheaply. Delissa Kimmince and Ashleigh Gardner also chipped in with two wickets while they got good support from Megan Schutt, Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham.

England will be aiming to break their nine-year wait for the World T20 title while Australia will be attempting a record fourth title.