It has been a showdown, showcase start to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand with 4 exciting and superb matches, two of which went right down to the wire, and the other two were a competition for a big part of the games. There were mega team performances, marvelous individual performances, interesting tactics, some huge upsets and a whole load of revelation about what the teams have been doing in the build up to the World Cup. What have the general trends been? What were the key factors in the matches? What might happen next? Let’s know them!
WHAT’S HAPPENED
4 matches. West Indies won the opener against home favorites – New Zealand, South Africa beat Bangladesh, Australia beat arch – rivals England in a high scoring match, and India thwarted Pakistan to go top of the table. Bay Oval has hosted two matches on the same pitch with the second match seeing considerably slower pace and much more spin, while two other grounds have hosted one match each with all outfields being fairly quick. Bowlers have found swing even in the middle overs, while 4 batters from 4 different teams have scored 4 centuries (1 each) in two day/night matches. Teams have faced expected troubles of them missing out on services of key players.
THE CONDITIONS
The pitches have been fairly batting friendly with them not being two – paced or providing significant assistant to spinners. The Bay Oval’s same pitch was used for two games with only a game a day in between, and hence, was evidently slow paced and had assistant for the spinners which made it a bit tougher for the batters as the bowlers were able to bowl slower pace and utilise the pitch to really create variations and keep the angles tight while not allowing batters to be as cheeky against medium pacers and spinners. The same pitch will be used for Pakistan’s third match giving them an advantage in terms of the pitch over Australia due to the spinning conditions and the fact that they have practice on that pitch. Pitched need to be provided rest, otherwise towards the end of the tournament, some teams will be disadvantaged to the rest and hence, if some grounds host several matches then it will tilt some games towards one of the sides.
The outfields, mixed with the boundary sizes, has been fast and allowed for the sides to score quite a few boundaries. The fielding needs to be agile and almost, all 8 teams have stepped up their fielding game with field placement strategies. Dew hasn’t yet played in a factor in the three day – night matches with no significant amount forming on the ground to create a difference. This has taken away a dynamic from the toss decision and also a strength of some bowlers and batters to either get some good swing or benefit from a wet outfield. This has made what has already become a game a pure skills even more just about that, which has allowed for games like the first 4.
TACTICS AND STRATEGIES
From where have some of them suddenly popped up? Some of them have been around for a while but many of the strategies used by sides are evidences of extensive pre – world cup analysis homework and a lot of which was either kept locked away in closets or was discovered just before and hence, never revealed before the World Cup. Teams have used strategies which are crucial as the fielding. West Indies were clean and neat in their first 10 overs while bowling, a lot of which came down to proactive field management, especially with regards to positioning of key fielders like Deandra Dottin. For India, the wicket – keeper with the use of slip cordon has been a bit of refresher for the side whereas in the South Africa match, even Bangladesh showed some good thinking with regards to shot management of the South African batters.
The Indian side’s use of Deepti Sharma at Number 3 came as a bit of a surprise but it opened up their slot for another all – rounder and more of the young hitters, as Yastika Bhatia is temporarily dropped. West Indies promoted Hayley Mathews to the top in a surprise people had not guessed, which worked out well for them especially as Mathews was able to free her hand at the start as Lea Tahuhu bowled a nervous short spell, which allowed her to get confidence.
Most importantly, the teams have acted as a unit. Individual performances have been key in all 4 matches to the victory of a side but the teams have worked as a unit and they look well – oiled instead of a broken apart squad. The Australian side, although missing few players they would like to have, and making errors still, came well for each other when some faultered and took the game forward from where the last one left off. South African bowling line – up took up roles that weren’t their primary smoothly and Pakistan also had a flow while bowling and fielding.
SPECIAL MENTION – FIELDING
The fielding requires a special mention as it has been great. The teams have come up with work and fielding tactics that are well – planned and it seems that the some teams have suddenly improved their fielding standards over just a short span of time. Some teams weren’t tested as much but overall, it has been full commitment, agility has been high and there has been a well understood and calibrated fielding display. Teams have an idea about which fielders to place where, and have worked on closing out spaces with a tight, player – specific field setup that has generally been tough to break for the batters if the bowlers do get that good fuller length in.
THE MATCHES
The matches have been about the weaknesses of each side and that is what has led them to their losses or even at times since they had some balance a victory. More about it in the analysis and review here.
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