Australia v WI, Women’s World T20, semi-finals, Mirpur

The Preview by: Andrew McGlashan 

Match Facts

April 3, 2014, Dhaka
Start time 2.30pm (0830GMT)

The Big Picture

This is a repeat of the semi-final in Sri Lanka, which Australia won by 28 runs on their way to securing the trophy, and of the final of the 2013 World Cup, where they once again came out on top.

Here, Australia made a losing start to their title defence against New Zealand before notching three wins on the bounce to finish top of their group – but only on net run-rate ahead of the rapidly improving South Africa, who had Australia 56 for 4 when they met.

West Indies went the other way, winning their first three matches to ensure themselves of progress to the knockout stage before falling to a defeat against India, which meant they conceded top spot in the group, but a wake-up call is not always a bad thing before the business end of a tournament.

A final piece in Australia’s jigsaw may well have been replacing Delissa Kimmince with Elyse Villani who made an unbeaten 90 – her first international half-century – to set up victory against Pakistan.

It is no surprise to see Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin at the top of West Indies’ run-scoring: they have 236 runs between them while the rest of the batting has 194. Dottin also has four wickets in seven overs to her name and her performance can so often set the tone for West Indies. “She is always very dangerous,” said a wary Meg Lanning.

Watch out for

Once again, Ellyse Perry is facing the challenge of being outstanding in two sports. She has recently been omitted from the Matildas squad (Australia’s women’s football team) with the suggestion that her days as a double international may be drawing to an end although Cricket Australia believe it remains possible. For now, she is enjoying a profitable tournament with six wickets and a strike rate of 139 with the bat.

While all eyes will be on Taylor and Dottin – and West Indies’ fate does rest hugely in their hands – Tremayne Smartt currently sits as their leading wicket-taker with six scalps. The medium-pacer has an overall T20 economy rate of 5.28 but she will face a huge challenge against a strong Australia top order.

Team news

Australia (probable) 1 Alyssa Healy (wk), 2 Elyse Villani, 3 Meg Lanning (capt), 4 Ellyse Perry, 5 Jess Cameron, 6 Alex Blackwell, 7 Jess Jonassen, 8 Erin Osborne, 9 Sarah Coyte, 10 Rene Farrell, 11 Holly Ferling

West Indies (probable) 1 Kycia Knight, 2 Stafanie Taylor, 3 Deandra Dottin, 4 Shemaine Campbelle, 5 Stacy-Ann King, 6 Shaquana Quintyne, 7 Anisa Mohammad, 8 Shanel Daley, 9 Tremayne Smartt, 10 Shakera Selman, 11 Merissa Aguilleria (capt & wk)

Pitch and conditions

This will be the first match of the women’s tournament in Dhaka – the group stages have been held entirely in Sylhet – and the pitches have aided the spinners throughout the men’s matches which have been held here. Dew, however, has been less of a factor.

Form guide (Completed matches, most recent first)

Australia:WWWLW
West Indies: LWWWL