ICC Women's CWC 2022 | AUS-W vs WI-W | First Semi-Final Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

All eyes are now on the semi-finals of the 12th edition of the Women's World Cup. After 28 league matches, we are now down to just four teams in the competition. In the first semi-final, Australia Women's table-toppers will battle it out against West Indies Women for a spot in the grand finale. The Basin Reserve in Wellington will be ready to witness this thriller on March 30, 2022. 

When they met in the 14th match of the league phase, these two sides were a low scoring affair, and Australia Women came on top with a seven-wicket win. That game, too, was played here at the Basin Reserve.

Australia Women are undoubtedly the favourites coming into this. They have won all seven matches on the group stage and been ruthless in all the clashes. But one can say that England Women are the only side to give them a tough fight. Apart from their first match, they have dominated this World Cup and look like they aren't stopping. They have all the bases covered, and at crucial junctures, they raise their bar onwards.  

Australia's team management is concerned about the fitness of their star all-rounder, Ellyse Perry, who has been seen doing knocks in the nets. She had a back spasm recently, which kept her out of the team for a week. 

On the other hand, West Indies Women have had a very different tournament. Winning three thrillers, losing three, and a rain abandoned game have somehow brought them to the semis.

The Stafanie Taylor-led side had to wait until the last ball of the league stage was bowled to be assured of a semi-final berth. A no-ball by Deepti Sharma against South Africa Women was the main reason why West Indies Women are here. It doesn't mean that they have played the worst cricket, but they were not at their best. 

Overall, a fantastic cricketing day ahead of us. These two teams will go hard at each other for a spot in the final. The unstoppable Australia Women will eye their 9th last while the underdogs West Indies Women are watching their second World Cup final.

Match Details

Australia Women vs West Indies Women- First Semi-Final

Date and Time- March 30, 2022, 3:30 AM IST

Venue- Basin Reserve, Wellington

Broadcast- Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar

Pitch Report

The Basin Reserve will host this for one last time in this World Cup. This will be a new pitch and will offer some assistance to the seamers. A morning start will also add in the favours of the pacers. The Wind factor will have its effect. The players need to judge its direction to either clear the boundaries or take the catches. The average score batting first is around the 250s. Toss-winning captain will bowl first.

Weather Conditions

According to the weather reports, there is a hint of rain hovering around this big game. But it doesn't look as ominous as a few days ago. Other than this, the weather is all kind for the rest of the match.   

Squads

Australia Women

Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Amanda Wellington, Darcie Brown 

West Indies Women

Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chaldean Nation, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry, Shakera Selman, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Rashada Williams, Cherry Ann Fraser, Anisa Mohammed

Probable Playing XI

Australia Women

Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown/Ellyse Perry

West Indies Women

Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chaldean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed/Karishma Ramharack

CE Fantasy XI

Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Shamilia Connell, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Darcie Brown

Captain- Meg Lanning

Vice-Captain- Hayley Matthews