New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Former India pacer Shikha Pandey has credited Australia’s tactical discipline and batting efficiency for their comprehensive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final at The Oval. She reserved special praise for opener Beth Mooney, saying the left-hander’s movement at the crease and ability to manipulate the field make her one of the most difficult batters to bowl to in the women’s game.

Analysing the contest after Australia sealed a place in the final, Shikha highlighted Beth Mooney’s masterclass at the top of the order, questioned key tactical decisions made by the West Indies, and explained how the Caribbean side’s batting unit failed to cope with Australia’s relentless bowling attack.

“Beth Mooney hurts you in so many ways. She is quick between the wickets, but what stands out is how she creates angles. She is always moving around the crease, making it hard for bowlers to settle on a line. Bowlers have struggled to find a way to pin her down. She will dab one for a single, and then the next ball she moves across to the off stump and finds a way to hit you all around the ground.

“She scored 61 off 36, and it didn’t feel like she was going at a crazy pace. That shows you the skill of a high-quality batter who always keeps the game moving. She is so experienced. Having her and the young guns like Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield at the top is a perfect combination for Australia,” Shikha told JioStar.

Shikha also pointed to Australia’s intelligent batting during the chase, highlighting Ashleigh Gardner’s measured approach and the team’s outstanding running between the wickets as decisive factors.

“Ashleigh Gardner played a smart innings. She found the gaps for boundaries and when the fielders were in place, she took quick singles. She didn’t try to overhit. She just rotated the strike and kept the scoreboard moving. Australians are excellent at running between the wickets, and it was clearly visible. Their awareness in the middle is top class. They turned ones into twos and kept the pressure on the fielders. That kind of batting makes a huge difference in a chase,” she added.

While praising Australia’s execution, Shikha felt West Indies contributed to their own downfall through tactical decisions that shifted momentum towards the defending champions.

“West Indies, on the other hand, made some tactical errors. Their bowling changes were slightly off. Giving Jahzara Claxton the sixth over was a mistake. She leaked 18 runs in that over, which gave Australia the momentum. In a match where every run counts, those extra runs in the powerplay proved costly,” Shikha said.

Shikha believed the West Indies batting line-up never managed to establish control in the contest after Australia exploited the helpful conditions with the new ball.

“West Indies were relying heavily on Hayley Matthews, their premier batter. But they didn’t make it easy for her. Qiana Joseph struggled from the start and never found her rhythm. The shot Matthews played before her dismissal was more out of desperation to keep the scoreboard moving. Joseph’s dismissal soon after added more pressure on the middle order. Australia’s bowlers were outstanding. The Australians adapted quickly once they realised the pitch was offering seam movement.

“Captain Sophie Molineux kept her pacers on for long spells to make the most of the conditions. Stafanie Taylor’s early dismissal without scoring hurt West Indies badly. Deandra Dottin came in lower down the order and batted with an injury. She managed to add some runs towards the end, giving the innings a little boost. But it wasn’t enough to change the outcome,” Shikha mentioned.

Australia chased down West Indies’ modest target with seven overs to spare to book their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final for a record eighth time.

–IANS

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