After India squashed Pakistan in their first encounter of the Women’s World Cup at the Bradman Oval in Bowral, expectations are raised as they take on England on Tuesday.
India were the runners up to the last Women’s World Cup held in South Africa in 2005 when Australia were the world champions. But the Indian team captain Jhulan Goswami was confident before leaving Indian shores, “Our team is very balanced with the right mix of experienced and the young. Only three players have not played overseas. We have had good work-outs in the two camps held at the National Cricket Academy (in Bangalore) and here at the MCA (BKC ground).” She also referred to the fact that they had learnt from their defeats to Australia and were keen to do well in this edition.
The ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2007 stated that India were in a good position despite recent losses to England and Australia, “”In terms of World Cup preparations, both series provided us with the chance to evaluate where we stood with ample time to find a way to lift our standards. By playing three months prior to the main event, we have given ourselves a very good chance to put ourselves back on track. Needless to say it was also a good wake-up call for us.”
With the competition high, India will have a lot to do. But they started on an emphatic note, beating Pakistan comprehensively by 10 wickets by bowling the Pakistan team out for just fifty-seven and then chasing the target in only ten overs with Anagha Deshpande and Anjum Chopra completing the formalities.
Earlier in the day, only Sana Mir could score seventeen in Pakistan’s dismal total and whose partnership with Asmavia Iqbal helped Pakistan recover only partially from seven down for just twenty-five. Rameli Dhar picked up three wickets while vice captain Amita Sharma also picked up two wickets. Mithali Raj though was wary of India’s own batting line up and before the World Cup had stated that the need of the hour was to score more runs rather than hope to defend small totals. India did not have to worry about that in this match. But stiffer challenges await.
Since then, Pakistan have managed to beat Sri Lanka while India take on England tomorrow. It will be difficult to dethrone Australia who are looking for their sixth crown, but it is not impossible as the New Zealand White Ferns have shown by beating Australia in a rain afflicted game by the Duckworth Lewis method while South Africa were handed a two wicket defeat courtesy West Indies (Is that not how the men’s team started as well in the 2003 World Cup?)
