Women’s World Cup T20 – ‘Chill as’ Sutherland reveals Australia’s composure in chaos

A high-profile game played in front of a sell-out crowd of 14,946 at the Sharjah Stadium that included almost only Indian fans went Australia’s way by nine runs after the tightest contest in the tournament so far. And Sutherland was “cold as”.

It is a testament to Sutherland’s character and why Australia see him as such a bright prospect that, having celebrated his 23rd birthday the day before, he took it all in his stride, claiming 2 for 22 from his four overs after adding the crucial runs of 10 six balls from No.8.

“He’s been in those big moments and he’s brought us back many times, even at the back with some useful runs for us. He was big for us today and cool under pressure.”

And it was a testament to the Australian team that they managed to shut out all the noise and chaos of the night before they sealed their place in the semi-finals.

A few hours before the game, it was announced that Tayla Vlaeminck would be dropped from the squad in place of Heather Graham after she suffered a backlash – a bowling – on her shoulder just four balls into the win over Pakistan on Friday night. Vlaeminck’s plight hit his teammates hard due to the battles he is facing due to injuries that have seen him play only 28 games for his country since his debut in 2018.

Australia is also waiting to hear if Healy is ready to participate in this World Cup after he injured his foot in the same game and went public watching India beat with crutches and moon shoes, his condition will be checked. in the coming days.

“There’s a lot going on,” McGrath said. “Friday night, that was a difficult night for us and there’s a lot to process but in competitions like this it goes on, you have a job to do.

“We’ve been really trying to get around each other as a team, whether the girls are injured, the girls playing a little different roles, and just sticking together as a team and focusing on the job at hand. I thought we did a good job of that and I came out and played really well tonight. I’m really proud of the team.

There was chaos as Australia posted 151 for 8 when they won the toss and elected to bat first. Georgia Wareham chose not to review the lbw decision that would have saved her and Sophie Molineux was sent back to the dugout oblivious to Jemimah Rodrigues holding back.

McGrath’s useful innings of 32 off 26 balls had its moments of drama after he survived India’s lbw review, was dismissed by Harmanpreet Kaur on the offside and ended up being bowled at Radha Yadav, all after six deliveries.

“He played really well,” McGrath said. “He put in his plan and that changed the game in our favor. This was the most important moment for us in the game.”

McGrath has now captained Australia three times, twice in T20Is, including the match in India in 2022. Australia also recently experienced a pro-India full house during their tour there in December and January.

“It was very noisy,” he said on Sunday in Sharjah. “We’re used to that now whenever we play India. A lot of it was about making eye contact with the bowlers and trying to get everyone to look at me because I’m trying to tell the bowlers to bowl the next over or move the bowlers. , it’s almost impossible with that noise.

“But for us it’s almost like trying to ignore the crowd sometimes because they can make you look like you’re behind the game maybe you’re not. They’re very passionate, they’re very happy and we love you but sometimes I think the game gets away from you as much as the crowd is cheering so it’s about staying level, staying focused and he learned the game well.”

So when Harmanpreet threatened to take the game away from 54, India’s second unbeaten captain in the tournament, Australia had to stay “cool”. Now, awaiting the result of Monday’s match between New Zealand and Pakistan, it is India who will have to sweat.