Women’s World T20 2016 Final Preview: Southern Stars favourites for the fourth title in a row

The Australian team, who will be looking for an unprecedented fourth successive title in the Women’s World T20, will be up against a spirited West Indian side that has played some very good cricket throughout the competition. While the record and form make the 3-time defending champions firm favourites, they will not want to take their opposition lightly who defeated a strong New Zealand team in the semi-final. Interestingly, both sides contesting the final on Sunday only qualified for the knockout phase as runners up in their group.

Australia Women:

Australia were easily beaten in their second match in Group A by their rivals from across the Tasman, New Zealand. The team’s progress was never threatened as they easily overcame the challenge of Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Ireland. The team made a brilliant comeback in the semi-final against England after the latter got off to a solid start in the run-chase. The bowlers squeezed the life out of the English challenge when the opposition showed any sign of faltering and this should give the team confidence against a strong West Indian batting unit.

Their captain Meg Lanning has been their leading run-scorer in the competition with 149 runs. She played a crucial role in the semis with a 50-ball 55 to take Australia to a competitive total of 132/6. What was impressive for Australia was the fact that other players chipped in too. They were provided a strong start from the openers as Alyssa Healy and Elyse Villani knit a brisk 41-run partnership. Australian vice-captain Alex Blackwell and all-rounder Ellyse Perry will two others who could take the game away from the Windies. Leg-spinner Kristen Beams and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen will be a threat on a pitch that might offer some turn.

West Indies Women:

The West Indies team finally managed to take the final step at the World T20, by reaching the Grand Finale at the 2016 edition of the competition, after losing in the semi-finals at the three previous tournaments. The team could have easily have found themselves eliminated from the tournament on a number of occasions. They eventually finished as runners up to England with three wins to their credit. However, two of those wins came against Pakistan by just four runs, and then against the hosts India by only three runs.

The West Indies almost went to pieces at the death against the Kiwis. Delivering wides, missing run outs and dropping catches in the final over could have handed their opponents the match, however, held on to register a 6-run victory. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor with 187 runs from five matches has been the consistent performer and her side will again look up to her to deliver in the finals. Britney Cooper scored a classy half-century in the previous match and will look to continue her form. Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews and Shaquana Quintyne have also come good in the ongoing tournament and skipper Taylor will hope the team plays to their potential in the summit clash.

Form guide: (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia Women:  WWWLW

West Indies Women:  WWLWW

Pitch and Conditions:

The Eden Gardens is likely to be a good one for batting. It may offer some turn, however, should generally encourage stroke play. Both teams are strong in the batting department the outcome of the match may well depend on who bowls better.

Probable XI-

Australia Women:  Alyssa Healy (wk), Elyse Villani, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (capt), Alex Blackwell, Ellyse Perry, Kristen Beams, Jess Jonassen,  Rene Farrell, Megan Schutt, Erin Osborne.

West Indies Women:  Hayley Matthews,  Stafanie Taylor (capt), Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Atacy-Ann King, Merissa Aguilleira (wk), Shemaine Campbelle, Shaquana Quintyne, Anisa Mohammed, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell.

Stats:

1. Stafanie Taylor needs 15 more runs to become the highest run-getter and 1 more wicket to become the joint leading wicket-taker in the competition. She has scored 187 runs and taken 8 wickets thus far.

2. Ellyse Perry needs 4 more wickets to complete 80 T20I wickets and 31 more runs to complete 800 runs in the shortest format.

How is the men’s final expected to play? – World T20 2016 Final Preview: Windies take on a rejuvenated England in a fascinating summit clash