Captain’s talk before the match
Harmanpreet Kaur | India womens captain: “After losing the last semi-final, as a team, we realised that we have to work as a unit, and right now you will see that our team is working as a unit and we are not reliant on just one or two players.”
Heather Knight | England womens captain: “Poonam Yadav is a massive threat for them and is an improved bowler since the last World Cup. We’ve practised for her a lot, I thought we played her outstandingly in the last T20 World Cup and that was due to the preparation we had.”
Statics between India womens and England womens
India have a 4-16 record against England in all T20Is. They did, however, beat Heather Knight’s side once in the tri-series before this World Cup.
Poonam Yadav is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament so far with nine scalps. But, in seven T20Is against England, she has taken only five wickets at an average of 29.60 and SR of 30.0 – both the worst for her against an opponent in the format.
India’s spinners have taken most wickets in the tournament so far – 21 – while England spinners have been the most economical conceding at 4.33 runs per over.
India made it to the finals
Match has been called off due to continuous rain in Sydney. Match abandoned without a ball bowled (no toss). India qualify for the final by virtue of finishing higher on the points table. As per the ICC rules, India made their way into the finals as they positioned them self in the top of the points table. England has been kicked out and India made their way into finals.
Regards reserve day
Common logic would suggest so. For example, if there had been no reserve day in last year’s men’s 50-over World Cup semifinal for example, India would have progressed to the final!
The ICC has maintained that the T20 World Cups (for both men and women) are short, sharp events with reserve days factored in only for the final. Also, all the teams knew of the playing conditions and did sign on it much before the tournament began.
“Allowing for any other reserve days would have extended the length of the event, which isn’t feasible. There is a clear and fair alternative should there be no play In any of the semi-finals with the winner of the group progressing,” a spokesperson had said on the eve of the game.
Captain’s view
Heather Knight | England womens captain: Frustrating, didn’t want the World Cup to end this way but not much you can do about this. Would have been good to have a reserve day perhaps. That loss to South Africa cost us. Not really, we expected to reach the semi-finals and that we did. Undone by the weather. Did feel like we had started to gain momentum in recent games and we were really ready for this semifinal. Yes, Sarah Glenn and Sophie (Ecclestone) have been great. So has been Mady. Not starting a tournament great has been a concern, so perhaps we can work on that (smiles).
Harmanpreet Kaur | India womens captain: It is unfortunate not to get a game due to the weather. But that’s how the rules go. In future, it would be nice to have a reserve day. From day one, we knew that we have to win all the games because if in case we don’t get any play in the semifinals, it will be hard for us. Credit to the team, we wanted to win all the games and we did it. Everybody is looking in great touch. Shafali and Smriti are giving us good starts, hoping they do it in the final too. Getting a good start is crucial, because T20 is a short format and it’s tough to come back once under pressure. We’re looking positive in the nets, and looking to give our best. Unfortunately, both of us (her and Mandhana) couldn’t produce the results but it’s good to see others stepping up. It means a lot for us because it’s our first final. As a team, we just want to go out there and play our best cricket. I feel that if we can play our best cricket, we will have a strong chance. We aren’t thinking about whom we want to face and just focusing on our game.
