da marjack bet： Australia’s triumph against India, coming as it did by a big margin of 51runs, did not actually depict the true picture of the way the game went on
Shantha Rangaswamy06-Dec-2000Australia’s triumph against India, coming as it did by a big margin of 51runs, did not actually depict the true picture of the way the game went on.India did put up a good fight but in patches they let the pressure they hadput on the Aussies ease away. This, in the final analysis, cost the matchfor India.The absence of Mithali Raj, down with viral fever, dented India’s chanceseven before the game commenced. Raj has had a string of good scores in theCricInfo Women’s World Cup with scores of 69 not out, 51 and 32 and herabsence in the key match against Australia was acutely felt.Australian captain Belinda Clark’s failure, by her standards, was more thanadequately covered up by the other opener Lisa Keightley who has been veryimpressive thus far in this competition with her consistency. She, alongwith the left handed Karen Rolton, took the Australian score to a positionfrom where they could take off for some big hitting towards the end.The measure of success of the Indian bowlers can be gauged only when theyare up against some top performers like the Australian batswomen. TheIndian bowling was hit but to the credit of the bowlers, they alwaysbounced back with some inspired spells. The 110-run partnership for thesecond wicket notwithstanding, India at one stage had the Australiansrestricted to 181 for 5.It was at this stage that the Indian fielding wilted under pressure and thesixth wicket pair enjoyed a charmed life with both Olivia Magno and JuliaPrice both getting reprieves with the fielders dropping easy catches in thedeep. They added 42 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket, which in theultimate analysis took the match away from India’s grasp. The Indianfielding just caved in with no backing up for throws to the bowler’s end.While Purnima Rau did bowl well for her 2 for 35, India’s concern is thelack of form of left arm spinner Neetu David who once again went for runs.Set a target of 224 runs, India got off to a good start with skipper AnjuJain setting the trend with some confident batting. When things looked likegoing well for India came about the needless run out of Jain with theIndian score reading 59. One couldn’t but admire Anjum Chopra’sdetermination in staying at the wicket though she consumed a lot ofdeliveries in the process. Her 47 off 105 balls and her partnership withPurnima Rau (25 off 44 balls) virtually made the game drift away from Indiawith the asking rate crossing seven.As a consequence of this, the Indian middle order had very few overs toscore from and eventually ended at 172 for 8, thanks to a fast pacedinnings from Chanderkanta Kaul who goes about the business of getting runswith minimal fuss. Therese McGregor was again the pick of the bowlers withfigures of 3 for 38 from her stipulated 10 overs.India were defeated by a convincing margin but there were moments in themiddle when the latter felt the pressure and even their famed fieldingwilted. It was not as smooth sailing as the score would suggest as therewere tense moments in the Australian camp though their better experienceand preparation helped them to register a victory. Only Australia hasremained unbeaten so far in this competition with both India and NewZealand having lost to them.The next match between India and New Zealand will decide who will be placedsecond and third. But this match scheduled for Saturday may well be arehearsal of the semi-final as these two teams are likely to meet again andonly one can proceed to the final for a date with Australia who are likelyto ward off the South African challenge in the other semi-final. SoSaturday’s match between New Zealand and India assumes great significance,as a victory here will be a big morale booster. The last time these twoteams met was in the 1997 World Cup in India when the match ended in a tieand pitched India against Australia in the semi-finals at which stage thehome team bowed out of the competition.