At Sydney, the first match of the day between Thailand and Pakistan was abandoned after the completion of the first innings in which we witnessed a power-packed performance from the Thai Women with the bat. The second match of the doubleheader which was scheduled at the same venue, in the latter part of the day was also called off, courtesy incessant showers.
Though the first match was a dead rubber, the clash between South Africa and West Indies was an important one. If the match would have happened, and if South Africa would have been defeated by the Caribbeans, then England would have made it to the top of the table with Proteas at number two. Since the match was abandoned without a ball being played, both the teams, South Africa and West Indies were granted one point each, which steered the South Africans (7 points) to the number one position in Group B.
Prior to this match, South Africa and England had six points, the only difference being, the former had a game to play.
Now when the day is done and dusted and the semi-final fixtures are now announced, on Thursday, there will be a double-header when India take on England in the first semi-final and the hosts Australia will lock horns against South Africa in the second semi-final, both the matches being played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
Just like this Women’s World T20 2020, in 2018, India topped the league table and faced off England in the semi-final. However, the Women in Blue ended on the losing side. This year, probably the girls would have taken a leaf out of the 2018 World T20 semi-final. Let’s find out whether India continue their invincible run in the tournament or it is England that shatters India’s hope to reach their first-ever World T20 final.
On the other hand, South Africa, playing just its second semi-final (this is the seventh World T20) will be up against the four-time champion as well as the defending champion Australia. The Proteas will have to certainly pull a rabbit out of their hat to get the better of the mighty Australian team.
The #T20WorldCup semi-final FIXTURES are here:
1st Semi: India vs Eng
2nd Semi: Australia vs SA pic.twitter.com/KKQKYr53rN— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 3, 2020
The semi-final double header on Thursday is going to be a cracker of a contest. Let’s see which two teams make it to the magnificent Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on International Women’s Day to play the grand finale of ICC Women’s World T20.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.