McGrath: Game management helped Australia to win
Media release
Stand-in Australia captain Tahlia McGrath lauded her side’s game management as a nine-run win over India secured their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Grace Harris scored 40 while Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux took two wickets each as Australia held their nerve.
Harmanpreet Kaur ended on 54 not out as four dismissals in the final over held off a late surge from India.
“The whole team got around me and I had a lot of help out there today from [Ellyse Perry] Pez and Ash [Gardner],” McGrath said as she stood-in for the injured Alyssa Healy.
“There were lots of players in different roles today and I thought everyone stepped up well.
“Pez has got a great cricket brain – she is really calm and there were a few times I went to her.
“All of the bowlers who took the ball out there are great with their plans and what field they wanted and I am just really proud of the group tonight.
“We constantly talked about what is a par total and what we want to get to. Whoever was out there knew there was so much depth behind them and they can play with complete freedom.
“We have shuffled the batting order around a few times, and it just depends on who is the best matchup in that situation.”
Molineux was named Player of the Match as she took two for 32 as Australia successfully defend 151 in Sharjah.
The spinner dismissed the dangerous Smriti Mandhana for six before getting the wicket of Deepti Sharma at a pivotal point in the chase.
She added: “T-Mac (McGrath) is really calm and she did a great job today.
“All of the senior players stepped up and everyone went into autopilot when the pressure was on.
“We went back to basics and got that right, it was a really good game and it was great to bounce back after a couple of really bad injuries that went through the squad.”
Indian skipper Kaur led the chase with an unbeaten 54 but her side now need rivals Pakistan to beat New Zealand to advance.
Her 63-run stand with Deepti Sharma, who also took two wickets, anchored the innings but failed to keep the required run rate at a manageable level.
Kaur said: “In the conditions, we assessed the wicket really well and we knew this was a chaseable total.
“The only thing is when Deepti and I were batting, we did not utilise a few loose balls where we could have got those boundaries.”
Kaur also pointed to Australia’s depth as a key reason for their win, despite losing Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck to injury in their previous match against Pakistan.
She said: “They are not dependent on one or two players and I think that is something that they know they have.
“They have so many all-rounders and batters who can take charge in the powerplay and later on.
“They don't have anything fixed so they can always make a plan according to the pitch and situation.”
“I think we also planned well and we were in the game till the last two or three overs.
“The difference between them and us is definitely the fielding.”
ENDS