A high-stakes match played before a sell-out community of 14,946 at Sharjah Stadium, made up almost entirely of Indian fans, had far surpassed Australia’s reach by nine runs in the closest match of the tournament so far. moment. And Sutherland was once “very quiet.”
It is a testament to Sutherland’s personality and why Australia view her as the kind of dazzling prospect who, having celebrated her twenty-third birthday the previous week, took it all in her stride, claiming 2 for 22 from her four overs to come, including a very Important 10 runs in six Negative balls.8.
“She has been there in those difficult moments and has been dedicated to us hour and hour again, even at the end with some runs for us. She was enough for us those days and really great under the force.”
And it was a testament to this Australian team that they were able to drown out all the noise of the night and the previous turmoil to seal their place in the semi-finals.
A few hours before the match, it was announced that Tayla Vlaeminck would be replaced in the team by Heather Graham after dislocating her right shoulder (bowling) just four balls into Friday night’s win against Pakistan. Vlaeminck’s plight hit her teammates hard given her battles with injuries that have limited her to just 28 appearances for her country since her debut in 2018.
Australia is also waiting to find out if Healy will be fit to participate further in this World Cup after he injured his foot in the same match and attended the game against India on crutches and a moon boot, his condition will be monitored. during the next few days.
“There’s been a batch produced,” McGrath said. “Friday night, it was a tough night for us and a lot of things to do, but in tournaments like this, you’ve been given a task to do.
“We’ve really been trying to understand each other as a group, whether it’s the injured girls, the girls who play slightly different roles, and just staying together as a group and focusing on the job at hand. I thought we did that. “I did a very good job. good job and I came out and played really well tonight. “I’m very proud of the group.”
There were elements of chaos when Australia scored 151 for 8 by winning the toss and opting to bat first. Georgia Wareham opted not to review an lbw decision that would have saved her and Sophie Molineux walked back to the dugout unaware that Jemimah Rodrigues had taken a catch at the back level.
McGrath’s innings of 32 off 26 balls had moments of drama after she survived Republic of India’s lbw assessment, the closest being bowled by Harmanpreet Kaur at safeguard and finally being stumped attacking Radha Yadav , all in the field of six deliveries. .
“She pitched great,” McGrath said. “She hit the nail on the head with her plan and that swung the game back in our favor. That was a really crucial moment in the game for us.”
McGrath has now captained Australia three times, twice in T20Is, including a fit in the Republic of India in 2022. Australia also enjoyed a new pro-Republic of India whole houses experience during their trip there in December and January .
“There was a lot of noise,” he said of Sunday in Sharjah. “We’re quite used to that now whenever we play India. A lot of it was just making eye contact with the bowlers and trying to get everyone to look at me because I was trying to tell the bowlers to bowl the next one or move the fielders. , it’s almost impossible with that noise.
“But for us it’s almost forgetting about the community from time to time because they can make you look like you’re at the back of the sport, even though maybe you’re not. They’re so passionate, they cheer so loudly and we love it, but occasionally “Every now and then you’ll think the sport is slipping away from you simply because of how loud the cheering crowds are, so it’s about staying level-headed, focused and learning well in the game.”
So when Harmanpreet threatened to take the match away from them with her 54 not out, the Indian captain’s second unbeaten half-century in as many games in this tournament, Australia simply had to stay “recovered”. Now, after knowing the results of Monday’s clash between Untouched Zealand and Pakistan, it is the Republic of India who should sweat.
Valkerie Baynes is a common writer, women’s cricket, at ESPNcricinfo
