Australia enter cut-throat semi-final as hot favourites
- Match Semi-Final 1: Australia Women v West Indies Women
- Basin Reserve, Wellington
- Wednesday 30 March, 11:00 Local Time
While Australia have lost star all-rounder Ellyse Perry to injury for this cut-throat clash, they still enter this ICC Women's Cricket World Cup semi-final as hot favourites.
Perry was the chief destroyer with the ball when the two teams met in Wellington earlier in the tournament, with the experienced all-rounder picking up three top-order wickets as Australia cruised to a seven-wicket triumph.
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That was one of seven victories Meg Lanning's side managed during the group stages, with Australia progressing to the semi-finals without a loss and in excellent form with both bat and ball.
West Indies' path has been somewhat different, with the Caribbean side sneaking through to the final four with three wins, three losses and one no result against South Africa.
It wasn't until the thrilling climax of the final group game of the tournament that Stafanie Taylor's side knew they had made it through to the semis, with West Indies thankful for South Africa's final-ball victory over India that helped them book their spot.
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With upset victories over New Zealand and England at the start of the tournament, West Indies have shown that on their day they are more than capable of beating anyone.
And that's why Lanning will be taking nothing for granted in Wednesday's clash.
"We're preparing for their best and their best is very dangerous," Lanning said of West Indies.
"And they've got a number of world-class players who can take the game away from you very quickly, so that's the way that we're looking at it.
"We're expecting them to come out there and play well. Not only have they got some incredible batters, but their bowling line-up is dangerous as well."
THE TEAMS
Australia Squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nic Carey, Ash Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Georgia Redmayne, Heather Graham
West Indies Squad: Stafanie Taylor (c), Anisa Mohammed (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Rashada William. Travelling Reserves: Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru, Jannillea Glasgow
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KEY PLAYERS
**Alyssa Healy:**There's a reason why Healy is rated as one of the best ODI batters in the world, with her ability to score quickly at the start of an innings an important feature of the 31-year-old's game. Healy has three ODI centuries and 15 half-centuries to her name for Australia, but it's her impressive strike-rate (98.26) in 50-over cricket that particularly stands out.
**Stafanie Taylor:**The West Indies all-rounder is a proven match-winner on her day and is always among the wickets that opposition teams want most. Taylor is almost as adept with her off-spin as she is with the bat, and is a match-winner on her day.
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Captaincy Pick – Hayley Matthews
The West Indies all-rounder was in outstanding form in her team’s win over New Zealand on the opening day of the tournament. Her brilliant 119 at the top of the order showed the kind of quality that will worry the best in the world, but she needs to deliver again to keep her team's World Cup dream alive.
Must have – Rachael Haynes
Australia’s vice-captain started her tournament with a bang, scoring a magnificent 130 off 131 balls with 14 boundaries and one maximum in her first match against England. Two tidy 30s and a brilliant 83* against West Indies saw the 35-year-old continue her brilliant form through the group stage, and her 43 against India strengthened her position near the top of the World Cup’s top run-scorer charts.
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THE VENUE
This is last of seven matches to be held at the Basin Reserve in Wellington over the course of the tournament.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The top four teams in the standings have now qualified for the semi-finals, which are being held on Wednesday, 30 March and Thursday, 31 March.
This is the first semi-final, with the winner progressing through to the final on Sunday against the winner of the South Africa v England semi-final.