Australia put plans in place to counter Indian star at World T20
Australian all rounder Ashleigh Gardner says a clean sweep of India in March gives her side confidence ahead of Sunday’s final pool game of the Women’s World T20.
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Australian all rounder Ashleigh Gardner says a clean sweep of India in March gives her side confidence ahead of Sunday morning’s final pool game of the Women’s World T20.
Both teams have already qualified for the Antigua semi-finals but top spot in Group B is up for grabs.
Australia defeated India in three one-day matches and two T20 clashes in India in March.
“We’re played them over in India where I think the wickets were pretty similar and we knew how to bowl to them there, so it’s obviously just going over our plans and being really clear on how we want to play them,” Gardner said.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored a game-changing 171 to end Australia’s one-day World Cup last year and Gardner hoped her team could get her out early tomorrow.
She said her team was now better equipped to deal with a Harmanpreeet onslaught.
“I think probably her first 10 balls, that’s when she is vulnerable,” she said.
“That’s the most crucial time to bowl to her and I think we just need to be really on it from the start as soon as she comes out to bat.
“I think we’re all more resilient to what we were probably 12 months ago when we did face her and she was going nuts.
“We obviously have different plans to conquer that.”
Gardner , who has taken three wickets in three games, said the pitches had so far suited her bowling but the No. 3 had made just 23 runs in two innings.
“(The pitches) have been pretty challenging on the batting side of things, obviously bowling I’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.
“They turn and obviously being an off spinner and actually being able to grip the ball is pretty exciting.
“They’re very different to Australian wickets where I probably don’t get the same bite... for shooter (Mega Schutt) as well with her slower balls, they’re obviously gripping as well so I think that’s a pretty exciting thing for our bowling group who have a lot change ups and a lot of really good spinners as well.”
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