Women’s T20 World Cup: All eyes on Lord’s as Group A semi-final race goes down to the wire

India, Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh (PC: ICC)

Lord’s, the most iconic of cricket grounds, is all set to host two blockbuster matches in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. From Group A, four of the six teams are still in the race for the semi-finals, and all four will be in action on Sunday. South Africa will first take on Bangladesh before India face Australia in the second match of the day.

Australia are unbeaten so far, and another victory would seal their place in the semi-finals. However, if they lose, net run rate (NRR) could become the deciding factor, as India and South Africa (provided the Proteas defeat Bangladesh) would also both finish on eight points.

For India, the equation is simple. They need to beat Australia and hope Bangladesh stun South Africa. That would eliminate any NRR calculations and send the Women in Blue through to the semi-finals.

For South Africa, the priority is to beat Bangladesh, preferably by a significant margin, to further improve their NRR. They would then hope Australia beat India to avoid any complicated qualification scenarios.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, are still mathematically alive despite their inferior NRR. If they beat South Africa and India lose to Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa and India would all finish on six points, bringing NRR into the equation.

India Women (PC: BCCI Women)

There are plenty of permutations and combinations heading into the final round of Group A fixtures. One advantage for India is that the South Africa-Bangladesh match will be played first, allowing the Women in Blue to know exactly what they need against Australia.

Head-to-head

India vs Australia

• Total matches played: 38

• India won: 9

• Australia won: 27

• Tied: 1

• No Result: 1

South Africa vs Bangladesh

• Total matches played: 15

• South Africa won: 12

• Bangladesh won: 2

• No Result: 1

Australia Women (PC: Cricket Australia)

Current standings

Group A

• Australia – 1st, 8 points from 4 matches (4 wins), NRR +4.724

• India – 2nd, 6 points from 4 matches (3 wins, 1 loss), NRR +2.268

• South Africa – 3rd, 6 points from 4 matches (3 wins, 1 loss), NRR +0.734

• Bangladesh – 4th, 4 points from 4 matches (2 wins, 2 losses), NRR -0.849

Players to watch

India vs Australia

For Australia, Georgia Wareham could be the player to watch. Her all-round ability, both with her leg-spin and power-hitting lower down the order, has been one of Australia’s biggest strengths in the tournament. In three innings, she has scored 78 runs at a strike rate of 181.39, while with the ball, she has claimed five wickets in four innings at an economy rate of just 3.80.

For India, N Sree Charani has been their standout performer throughout the tournament. The current No. 1-ranked T20I bowler is also the leading wicket-taker in the competition, with 12 wickets from four matches.

South Africa Women (PC: Proteas Women)

South Africa vs Bangladesh

Tazmin Brits heads into this clash after a scintillating unbeaten 114 off 69 balls against the Netherlands in South Africa’s previous match. The Proteas will hope she can carry that form into this crucial encounter at Lord’s.

For Bangladesh, opener Juairiya Ferdous has scored 98 runs in four innings so far. Although the numbers may not appear extraordinary, she looked impressive against India in the previous match. During her 33-run knock, she played some delightful shots and showed positive intent throughout her innings.

Pitch and weather

The pitch at Lord’s is traditionally known to favour fast bowlers, with the eight-foot slope often creating extra movement and awkward angles for the seamers. However, once batters settle in, the surface generally offers good value for stroke play.

Only one match has been played at the venue in this tournament so far. England posted 186 before successfully defending the total against West Indies. Interestingly, the spinners had a greater impact than the seamers, claiming eight of the 12 wickets to fall.

The weather is also expected to remain favourable for cricket. Following the recent heatwave, conditions are likely to be much more comfortable on match day. Mostly cloudy skies with occasional sunny spells are forecast, while temperatures are expected to hover around 25°C. With only a 14 per cent chance of precipitation, rain is unlikely to interrupt play, setting the stage for two full matches.

Bangladesh Women (PC: BCB)

Probable XIs

India

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Prema Rawat, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma, N Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud.

Australia

Beth Mooney, Georgia Voll (wk), Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux (c), Alana King, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton.

South Africa

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Bangladesh

Juairiya Ferdous, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla.

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