While for most of us the key cricketing bonanza at this time is the IPL- arguably the mother of all cricketing battles- let it be reminded that there’s a vital cricket series about to happen on the women’s circuit. In what could be a fitting finale of a rather heartbreaking Indian summer thus far in 2018, Nagpur will be the centre of attraction as India Women’s side gear up to take on England.
The last time that two of world cricket’s most consistent and finely-balanced units met one another- there was furore. And lest it be forgotten, glory and heartache in equal measure. The widely-followed ICC Women’s World Cup final’s at Lord’s in 2017 was a cricketing carnival that fetched England a well deserving glory and some teary moments for India.
But now, maybe is it payback time? Particularly where an out-of-form Mithali Raj’s form and her fans are concerned. After all, it’s never a pleasant or usual site to see one of the most illustrious names in the game being out of form. Concern for India, then? Well, it may just be that way. At the same time, it has to be said that an in-form Heather Knight who’s been declared ‘ruled out’ from a possibly absorbing contest will also put some pressure on England.
So, in these testing times, what are the 5 things to look forward to between India Women’s clash with England Women’s in the 3-match ODI series?
Jenny Gunn’s form
One of the most difficult exponents of some steadfast and sturdy medium pace bowling is England’s Jenny Gunn. Not the easiest of bowlers to pick runs of, Gunn’s been in some tremendous form of late. Where the recently concluded T20 series stands, the right armer picked up 5 wickets and seemed in some mighty good form. It also didn’t appear as if the sub-continental wickets, usually helpful for spinners, made it tough for the experienced English bowler to adjust to. It will be crucial from India’s perspective as to how they pick Gunn’s unusual bowling action.
India Women’s struggling from Mithali’s lack of runs
Scores of 6, 0, 53, 18 and 21. That’s what Mithali Raj’s recent run of forms been up to. Rather surprising for someone who is a voracious scorer of runs. The math regarding Raj’s form for India is relatively simple. Few sites are as absorbing when one of the most technically-correct batswoman in the game gets going. But for now, it will be vital that Raj continues from where she had left in her South African tour. It’s important that India do not place on Smriti Mandhana the onerous task to score the bulwark of the team’s runs.
Anya Shrubsole’s leadership
The sub-continental dry pitches are usually a world away from the green plush cover of English tracks. Balls may or may not come easily on the bat. Under these situations, it will make for quite a fine observation as to how one of England’s most reliable pacers leads her side in fairly unfamiliar conditions. With a fantastic bowling average as well as economy rate, Shrubsole may well like to skittle through India’s top and middle order, the key components of which are Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and, Jemimah Rodrigues.
Smriti’s purple patch
The Sanath Jayasuriya of women’s cricket on a really ominous day for her opponents and a Matt Hayden equivalent when both burly hits and stitching useful partnerships are of key, Mandhana is the fulcrum of India’s present scoring. There are few things better in the women’s game than a free-scoring batswoman indulging in surgical precision of the opponents. Mandhana has been in some serious form and her ability to score runs quickly has been instrumental in giving her team fiery starts even if those haven’t necessarily resulted in winning exploits for hosts in this less than memorable home season. If she gets going and gets support from either of Kaur or Raj- both of whom have been struggling for runs- things will get tough for India Women’s ‘could-be’ nemesis.
Danielle Wyatt’s form
Usually the sight of a prolific century in a T20 contest is a rarity. Then, to have someone score a voluptuous 124 at a strike rate of nearly 200, is stuff that happens in dreams. But England’s ever-smiling Wyatt made the arduous (for her side) and the unreal (where India were concerned) possible in the realm of reality as she plundered hosts in an exciting tri-series that India failed to make any game out of. She could well be a matter of some grave concern if India Women’s bowling attack that seemingly lacks the bite and venom of pace (at the moment) fails to contain her.
For now, it’s all to play for in the 3-match ODI series where perhaps it may just come down to which of the side keeps its cool till the end.