India women lock horns with the hosts England as Harmanpreet-led side won the toss and elected to bat first in their semi-final clash of the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 on Saturday (August 6).
“We are going to bat first. It's a fresh track and it's going to remain the same throughout the game. Before the main game, everyone is performing. It's right time to perform for the team. Our bowlers are doing well. I am really happy with the way they are bowling,” India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said after winning the toss.
Meanwhile, England captain Natalie Sciver said, “I was happy to bowl first anyway. We've been good in adapting. (On Hayley Jensen's swing bowling) It's a skill she's had for 3-4 years. We are on a roll, high on confidence, in our batting and bowling”.
India defeated Barbados by 100 runs in the their last clash while England routed New Zealand women by seven wickets.
The group stages were played on hybrid pitches (natural grass + artificial fibres). However, the last four games will be played on natural cricket pitches.
England haven't put a foot wrong in this competition and come into this clash on the back of three convincing victories. India were in a dominant position against tournament favourites - Australia - in the tournament-opener but they ended up on the losing side thanks to Ash Gardner's brilliant knock. Post that, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. registered two big wins. A win today will guarantee a medal.
India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Taniya Bhatia(w), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh.
England Women (Playing XI): Danielle Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Natalie Sciver(c), Amy Jones(w), Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Freya Kemp, Issy Wong, Sarah Glenn
