The Southern Stars have been able to turn around the first 2 results of our T20 World Cup campaign, where we weren’t too convincing, to end up finishing top of our pool and breaking a few records on the way.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Our third match was against Ireland. The preparation meetings for this game were slightly different as we didn’t know too much about them. We just had to rely on the footage that was given to us from a previous game. There was an unknown sense to it. We are so used to knowing most of the players that we come up against – we know their strengths and weaknesses, as well as any variations or funky shots that they may throw our way. We know how they react in certain situations – will they stand up and lead their team to victory or does the pressure consume them? In a way, this is exactly what we needed.
For the second game in a row, our bowlers delivered, and their batters struggled. Our batters needed a fresh start and this was it. They got to go into the match, only knowing that Ireland were a developing team. The plans were as simple as you can get – find a way to hit the good balls for a single and capitalise on every bad delivery. Our captain Meg Lanning did just this. When she capitalised, the ball went the distance… clearing the rope by 20 metres or more. She broke many records including the highest Australian T20 score, our highest team innings and our highest winning margin. This was the confidence that we needed to take into the following game which, for us, was potentially a do or die match.Pakistan was our final match. The way the points and run rates were, we had to beat Pakistan by no less that 40 runs to secure a spot in the final. If we won by less, we were still a chance, however we would be waiting on the result of New Zealand v South Afric to make sure their run rates didn’t pass our own. We definitely didn’t want to leave it to chance. We wanted to book our spot well and truly. Batting first, we were still in the teens in the 4th over. In Twenty/20 cricket, the initial powerplay is crucial. You need to find the boundaries and use the powerplay, of only 2 people allowed outside the inner circle to your advantage.
Clearly our start was not what we needed, and throughout the tournament this has been our weak point. The positive was that we still had 10 wickets in hand. Our coach came down from the dressing room with the message that the girls out in the middle needed to start swinging if we were any chance of posting a high score. Just as she said that, Elyse Villani launched the ball straight over the bowlers head for six… Clearly, no message needed to be sent out. The girls knew exactly what to do. Junior (Villani) has had some trouble at the international level posting some scores on the board. Nationally, we fear her when we play the Victorians. When she is firing, no matter where you bowl the ball or how good the ball is, it will fly to the boundary. It was so good to see this form finally carry over to the international level. She scored 90-odd off only 50 balls which put us in a good position.
I’m happy to say that we did just that. We kept them well and truly under 100 and we won by 96 runs, breaking once again our winning margin record. This made our run rate skyrocket meaning that we were definitely through to the semi finals. We had no idea however, if we would finish first or second in our pool and that was determined by New Zealand and South Africa. If New Zealand won, we finished second in the pool and likewise if South Africa smashed New Zealand. A really close game with South Africa winning would mean we would take top spot – and that is exactly what happened. South Africa chased down New Zealand’s runs with one ball to spare. So South Africa, the dark horses of the tournament, knocked New Zealand out of the World Cup and earned themselves a semi final berth.
Our next thought was who do we play? Once again it came down to a different game – West Indies v India. West Indies were currently undefeated so it looked as though they would win that match, take top spot and we would play second-placed England. This was not the case however. The West Indies struggled throughout the game and gave India an easy win. This then meant, based on run rate once again, England took top spot and we were to play the now second placed West Indies.
Last night we took our minds off cricket for a couple hours. At the start of the tour we were split into groups of 4, to showcase – Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars Have (or Haven’t!) Got Talent. There were plenty of laughs had and I’ll be sure to update you more on this in my next blog.
Tonight is the big game – the semi final. It no longer comes down to who deserves it more. The team that wants to play in the final more will progress. Our plans will be similar to previous games – when batting, try and score a single off every ball and hit the bad ball for 4 .When bowling it’ll be just making sure we are one step ahead of the batter and making sure we bowl to our fields.
Cricket is a simple game. Sometimes we over complicate it. If we stick to our simple plans, I can guarantee I’ll be writing my next blog on the World Cup Final preparations.
Make sure you cheer us on tonight live on Fox Sports 3 (channel 503) from 6.30pm QLD time. It’s sure to be a cracking game, with West Indies big hitter Deandra Dottin ready to take us on. We are loving your support from back home and we hope you can help us get over the line tonight!
