Journey of 4 Semi-Finalists in U19 World Cup

The ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup has been remarkable so far and after such an exciting set of group stage matches and the Super Six matches, we finally have our semi-finalists in the form of Australia, England, India and New Zealand. Let’s uncover their journeys.

India U19 Women’s Cricket Team

India has had a spectacular World Cup having won all their matches in Group D. They registered crucial wins versus South Africa, UAE and Scotland. In the Super Six round, although they faced a setback losing to Australia; they registered a massive win versus Sri Lanka and cemented their place in the semi-finals.

India has so far had a team effort but with Shweta Sehrawat and Mannat Kashyap in the mix, India has benefited from their stellar performances so far. Sehrawat has been the leading run-getter for India in this World Cup scoring 231 runs from 5 matches at a prolific average of 115.5 and striking at 142.59. Shafali Verma too has scored 147 runs striking at 213.04 so India will be looking at their openers to give them the desired starts and with Soumya Tiwari, Hrishita Basu and Richa Ghosh rest assured India is settled. In the bowling department, Mannat Kashyap with her haul of 7 wickets is the highest wicket-getter for India and with Parshavi Chopra (6 wickets), Archana Devi (5 wickets), Sonam Yadav and Shafali Verma (4 wickets each), India have formed a solid bowling attack capable of decimating any opposition on a given day.

Semi-Final of U19 Women’s World Cup 🇮🇳 vs🇳🇿

In their Super Six stages, India won one and lost the other, while New Zealand registered 2 wins in 2.

Who will proceed to the finals?🤔#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rXpbWt5rut

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 26, 2023

New Zealand U19 Women’s Cricket Team

New Zealand is another stunning outfit having registered wins in all of their Group C matches. They handed defeats to Indonesia, Ireland and West Indies to end their group stage on a high, right at the top of the table. In the Super Sixes, they registered wins versus Rwanda and Pakistan to stake a claim in the Semi-Finals although they finished in the second spot of the Super Six table just below England.

What has worked well for New Zealand is the form of Anna Browning who has scored 126 runs in 4 matches at an average of 63 and a strike rate of 129.89. Georgia Plimmer has been another positive as she has piled on 120 runs at an average of 60 and a jaw-dropping strike rate of 157.89 having scored a fifty as well. Emma McLeod has also impressed and with Izzy Gaze and Izzy Sharp, New Zealand’s batting looks more than sorted. In the bowling department, Tash Wakelin has been the pick of the bowlers with six wickets and with Natasha Codyre (5 wickets), Kate Chandler (5 wickets), Olivia Anderson (5 wickets), Anna Browning (4 wickets) and Abigail Hotton (4 wickets), we can expect some good bowling performances to restrict and defend totals.

The stage is set for the Top 4 Semi-Finalists.

Who will lift the 🏆trophy on 29th Jan? #CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iI9OyfooTQ

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 25, 2023

Australia U19 Women’s Cricket Team

Australia has had an absolutely dramatic World Cup as they kickstarted their campaign with a shocking loss to Bangladesh. Perhaps, that loss was the wake-up call. as after that, they have been nothing short of clinical as they won their other group stage matches and in the Super Six matches also they did not face any setbacks. They finished second in the Super Six behind India and their journey in this World Cup has been nothing short of inspirational. Kate Pelle was brilliant as she scored 130 runs at a strike rate of 130 and Claire Moore too scored 121 runs at an impressive average of 40. Ella Hayward, Amy Smith and Sianna Ginger have also lent excellent support to the batting. In the bowling department, Maggie Clark, the lanky pacer was consistent and incisive as she picked up nine wickets and with Lucy Hamilton (5 wickets), Amy Smith (4 wickets), Ella Hayward (4 wickets), Sianna Ginger (4 wickets); Australia has a formidable bowling attack that can pose a threat to any batting attack.

England U19 Women’s Cricket Team

England has been unbeaten in this World Cup and has been one of the most dominating and threatening outfits. Having kickstarted their campaigns with massive wins versus Zimbabwe and Rwanda skittling them for a paltry 25 and 45, they also defeated Pakistan without much difficulty. In their Super Six matches, they handed Ireland and West Indies losses and with a startling 5.088 NRR, they were nothing short of remarkable this World Cup.

Grace Scrivens, their skipper has been fantastic in this tournament as she has scored 269 runs at an average of 53.80 and strike rate of 53.80. With Liberty Heap (148 runs), Niamh Holland (127 runs), and Seren Smale (108 runs) England has batters who have chipped in when the team most needed them to. In the bowling department, Sophia Smale with her eight wickets has been outstanding and with Ellie Anderson (7 wickets), Grace Scrivens (6 wickets), and Hannah Baker (6 wickets); England can present themselves as strong contenders ahead of the semi-finals.

Schedule of the Semi Final matches on 27th January: 

Neha Shetty

I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.