England vs Australia - Commentary

So it all comes down to the final two matches to decide three teams in the semifinal spots. Australia are confirmed but they are the only team. India will hope for a favour from Pakistan with a win over New Zealand, while in the other group, it is still not clear which two amongst England, West Indies and South Africa could go through. Also remember, on the face, it might appear that Pakistan cannot qualify. But if they bring their A game on Monday and beat New Zealand by a big margin, who knows - it could be Australia and Pakistan from this group! So make sure you don't miss out on either of those blockbusters with New Zealand Women set to take on Pakistan Women on Monday, 14th October, 2024 followed by a spicy England-West Indies encounter on Tuesday, both in Dubai. The first ball is set to be bowled at 2 pm GMT for both games, but our buildup will begin much sooner. In the meanwhile, you can also catch a glimpse of the scorecards from other matches by visiting their matchcentres. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious Australian captain, TAHLIA MCGRATH, is pleased with the win and credits the entire team for getting around and supporting her in tight situations. Calls the pitch a tricky one with the slower balls gripping the surface and hard to score off. Details that understanding from the first innings helped them while bowling. On batting superbly in the final 5 overs, McGrath puts it to experience with batters knowing their role pretty well. On holding their nerves with the ball when India were going well, Tahlia says that she always turns to Ellyse Perry in tense situations and her experience and advice always bail the team out. On being asked whom would they prefer in the semifinal, TM beats around the bush, saying that they would rather focus on their own preparations.

Indian skipper, HARMANPREET KAUR, says that Australia's allrounders were the difference between the two sides. Lauds them for changing their plans based on the surface and not having a fixed batting lineup or bowling attack. But cites the major difference was the Aussie fielding, as they did not let India get easy runs. On Asha Sobhana's injury after the toss and a forced change to bring in Radha Yadav, Kaur says that is something which is not in anyone's control and that is why, teams travel with 13-14 players always ready. Calls Radha a very good character who is always giving you a breakthrough when needed. On batting, Harman says that they assessed the conditions pretty well but during her partnership with Deepti Sharma, the pair could not capitalize on the loose balls bowled by Australia. On what looks like an eternal wait to know whether India can qualify for the semis or not, the skipper says that it is no longer in India's hands now and adds that it would be great if they get another game but bravely adds that may the better team go through.

SOPHIE MOLINEUX HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for her 2/32. Molineux says that it was a really good game of cricket that went down to the wire. Is glad that Australia held their nerve towards the end. On the message in the field, especially with Alyssa Healy missing, Sophie says that the message was just to be calm and stick to the basics. Smiles on being asked about the one-sided crowd support towards India, but she does not mind it, she says and thanks the people for coming in to watch. Is happy to have qualified but hopes to take the momentum from this game into the semifinal.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, Australia huffed and puffed their way to 151/8. They were put under pressure throughout the innings but they managed to respond by fighting hard. Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry played crucial knocks, stringing useful partnerships, ensuring that there was not a massive collapse. And one believes that's where the two teams differed. Australia had batters who just kept coming and coming and coming. They could bat all the way upto number 9, till Sophie Molineux, who has opened in the Women's Big Bash! But as far as India were concerned, once Pooja Vastrakar fell, it had to be a one-player show and Australia isolated her. Tough day for Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma who finished with 2 wickets apiece and bowled really well, but could not get the win. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

Unlike other matches, Australia Women could not quite pick up wickets with consistency. They were tested but they responded well. They quickly adjusted their field and their lines and lengths to cut off the boundaries and draw the Indians into mistakes. In between, the spinners were put under pressure, but the Aussies made sure that apart from the 18th and 19th overs, never did 2 overs go for 10 runs or more in succession. Sophie Molineux started the pressure rut, finishing with 2/32 but it was a coming of age for Annabel Sutherland who was simply sensational, especially in that final over, with figures of 2/22.

India started the run chase quite confidently, with Shafali Verma getting on to a quick start. But then Australia struck back and from 26/0, India slipped to 47/3. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma then got a partnership brewing but Australia choked them, allowing them singles but not giving away too many boundaries. Then, once the boundaries started to appear, Deepti Sharma was dismissed and Australia got their A-game on. They isolated the Indian skipper and kept picking up wickets at the other end and eventually, came out triumphant. Unfortunate for Harmanpreet to make 54 unbeaten but not take her team through. However, the good thing is that, because India kept the defeat margin to single digits, their net run rate is still above that of New Zealand's.

The Indians will be distraught and for multiple reasons. First and foremost, they have been consigned to defeat in a very important game and now they have to wait for another 24 hours to know whether they are going to be playing in this tournament in the coming week or not. If a defeat is bad, prolonged wait is even worse. Second, the Indians were up and about for this contest and did not give Australia an inch. They fought tooth and nail and eventually, one might say that it was the depth of the Aussie unit with both bat and ball that was the difference in the end.

Yet another Australia-India match turns out to be a thrilling encounter. Till that last over, we could not say who was on top and Annabel Sutherland bowled a stunning final over. This victory marks the 15th consecutive time that Australia Women have been unbeaten in this format of World Cups but above all, India Women will now hope that Pakistan Women do a favour on them come Monday.

Renuka Singh Thakur is the only batter left.

Radha Yadav walks in at number 10, replacing Shreyanka Patil.

It is a wide but do we have a run out here? The flick shot was missed by the batter and Shreyanka was perhaps looking for the run off the bye. Out of nowhere, Beth Mooney came running down to dislodge the bails. Shreyanka got back, but replays seem to show that her foot was on the line. The third umpire wants to check multiple angles. Time for the back camera now. Does seem like the foot is on the line. A further zoom in is asked now. From where we can see, the foot has not moved an inch and it still is on the line. But the third umpire is still not convinced. She is repeatedly asking for different angles and further saying, 'It is not helping me'. Eventually, she concludes that the foot is on the line and it will be a wicket.

Shreyanka Patil walks in at number 9, replacing Arundhati Reddy.

Should be Arundhati Reddy now.

Final over. Who bowls it? Wareham or Sutherland? For India, Shreyanka bowled the 20th and conceded 12. Wareham conceded 9 in her last. It will be Annabel Sutherland. 3-0-18-0. Also, the fielding penalty has been instituted. Australia can have only 4 outside the circle.

A bit of a breather taken. Not sure why. Both the batters have paused the game slightly and are taking a drink.