Daijiworld Media Network - Indore
Indore, Oct 24: Defending champions Australia will be pinning their hopes on skipper Alyssa Healy’s return to full fitness as they gear up for a top-of-the-table showdown against an in-form South Africa in the Women’s World Cup encounter scheduled in Indore on Saturday.
Healy — who doubles up as captain, opener, and wicketkeeper — suffered a calf injury during training ahead of the England clash. In her absence, vice-captain Tahlia McGrath led the seven-time world champions to a convincing win over their arch-rivals.
The 35-year-old Healy has been in sublime touch this tournament, with back-to-back centuries against India and Bangladesh, placing her third on the list of top run-getters behind India’s Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, despite having played two fewer matches. Her availability could prove crucial as Australia look to maintain their dominance.
South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, have shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back from a 10-wicket defeat to England in their opener to win five consecutive games. Their renewed form and intent have made them one of the strongest contenders for the coveted title this year.
Even without Healy, Australia displayed their trademark depth and composure in the England game. After losing their top four — Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney — cheaply at 68/4, the Southern Stars were rescued by a stunning unbeaten 180-run stand between Annabel Sutherland (98*) and Ashleigh Gardner (104*), steering them to a comfortable victory.
South Africa, however, will be relying heavily on all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who has rediscovered her rhythm with six wickets and two half-centuries so far. Alongside Wolvaardt, openers Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus will need to shoulder the bulk of the scoring responsibility against Australia’s world-class bowling attack.
With both teams eyeing a psychological edge ahead of the knockout stage, Saturday’s clash promises to be a thrilling contest between two sides in prime form — Australia seeking to reaffirm their supremacy, and South Africa determined to script history.
Teams:
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon.