Ahead of their crucial clash against Australia in the ongoing ICC T20 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine stated that a win against India was an important step forward in their quest to lift the title in the marquee event.
“We just want to give absolutely everything to this jersey, to this team, and hopefully, we can go deep into this tournament. Tonight’s game (win over India) is certainly one step on that journey. But we know, as I said, there’s still a long way to go in this tournament,” Devine said, as quoted by the ICC.
Meanwhile, Australian right-arm seamer Megan Schutt emphasized that the match against the White Ferns would be a “great match.”
“It’ll be a great match (against New Zealand). We’ve obviously just come off a series against them in Australian conditions, so it’ll be an even tougher match-up here,” Schutt said.
Both Australia and New Zealand registered comfortable victories in their opening matches of the tournament, and another win here will put them in strong contention for a spot in the knockout stages. These two teams know each other very well, given their close geographical proximity and the fact that they played a three-match T20I series just before the tournament’s start.
Australia claimed that series with a dominant 3-0 whitewash, but the White Ferns were not entirely outclassed in any of those matches, and they will fancy their chances of pulling off a second consecutive upset in the T20 World Cup.
New Zealand secured an impressive 58-run victory over India in their tournament opener and will be brimming with confidence heading into the Australia clash. Skipper Sophie Devine played a superb innings, scoring a half-century, while pacers Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu combined to take seven wickets in a brilliant bowling display.
That win over India was in Dubai, but the conditions in Sharjah may favor the slower bowlers, based on previous results at the venue in this tournament. However, Australia’s fast bowler Megan Schutt did claim a three-wicket haul at this ground against Sri Lanka last week.
Australia’s batting depth might give them the edge in this contest, though another closely fought match is almost guaranteed.
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.
(ANI)
