Holders take on improving West Indies
The second women's semi-final is a contest between the reigning champions, Australia, taking on the most improved side in the women's game, West Indies
The Preview by Andrew McGlashan
04-Oct-2012
Match Facts
October 4, 2012
Start time 2.30pm local (0900 GMT/1000 BST)
Start time 2.30pm local (0900 GMT/1000 BST)
The Big Picture
For the battle to take on England in the final it's a contest between the reigning champions, Australia, and the most improved side in the women's game, West Indies. In a neat coincidence, it is the same head-to-head as will happen later in the day for the second men's semi-final.
Australia will start favourites, largely due to their experience in knockout matches such as this, but West Indies have become a team to take very seriously. Charlotte Edwards, the England captain, made no secret that she was very pleased to have avoided them in the semi-finals. Both teams progressed from their groups with two wins - for West Indies that included a notable first success against New Zealand.
The key to West Indies' growth has been the continued development of allrounder Stafanie Taylor and batsman Deandra Dottin - both aged 21, having made their debuts at 17 in West Indies' first ever Twenty20 international - who give the top order power and some class. The absence of Taylor, who averages 33 with the bat in T20 and 15 with the ball, from the start of the recent tour of England because of exams showed how important she is to their team.
Australia will be banking on their senior players, such as Lisa Sthalekar and former captain Alex Blackwell, to use their experience of big matches to guide the younger players. Both appeared in the 2010 final against New Zealand, as did Ellyse Perry whose left boot (honed from her football skills) helped secure a three-run victory.
Form guide
(Most recent first, completed matches)Australia LWWLW
West Indies WLWWL
West Indies WLWWL
Watch out for...
Ellyse Perry, who made her debut aged 16, is not just a star of Australian cricket having also forged a successful football career. However, her duel skills have created some problems over which to pursue and, earlier this year, she almost had to pick one or the other. However, a change of football club, from Canberra to Sydney, appears to have removed that concern. Her form at this tournament has been patchy with three wickets in qualifying with an economy rate of 6.75 and she will need to be at the top of her game against a strong West Indies top order
Deandra Dottin holds a record that transcends the men's and women's game: the 38-ball hundred she scored against South Africa in 2010 is the fastest in any Twenty20 international. It was also the first hundred in the women's game. In recent weeks she has twice shown her match-winning ability with 62 against England in Arundel, to help West Indies avoid a whitewash, then a crucial 58 in the win against New Zealand at the start of this tournament having come in at 5 for 2.
Team news
Australia (probable) 1 Meg Lanning, 2 Alyssa Healy, 3 Jess Cameron, 4 Lisa Sthalekar, 5 Alex Blackwell, 6 Jodie Fields (capt & wk), 7 Rachael Haynes, 8 Julie Hunter, 9 Ellyse Perry, 10 Jess Jonassen, 11 Erin Osborne
West Indies (probable) 1 Stafanie Taylor, 2 Juliana Nero, 3 Shemaine Campbelle, 4 Deandra Dottin, 5 Shaquana Quintyne, 6 Merissa Aguilleira (capt & wk), 7 Stacy-Ann King, 8 Tremayne Smartt, 9 Anisa Mohammad, 10 Shakera Selman, 11 Shanel Daley
Pitch and conditions
If the surface for the first semi-final is anything to go by spin will play a huge part in the game. That may suit West Indies, who do not have the pace options available to Australia.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
"In order to be the best, you have to win against the best. We know that Australia is the defending champion, so we know we have to go hard."
Merissa Aguilleira, the West Indies captain, is aware of the challenge
Merissa Aguilleira, the West Indies captain, is aware of the challenge
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo