Australia’s in-form batter and their skipper Meg Lanning is sweating over her fitness ahead of the semifinal clash against India. The top-ranked One-Day Internationals batswoman has been on the sidelines since guiding her team to an emphatic 8-wicket victory against India at the group stage. The 25-year old had not played against Pakistan but returned against India to score an unbeaten 88-ball 76 before missing the last group game against South Africa.
Australia allrounder Jess Jonassen gave an update on Lanning’s shoulder injury. According to reports, the Aussie skipper trained separately and away from the rest of the group on the eve of the semifinal clash as she tested injured shoulder in a light session with head coach Matthew Mott.
“She’s working closely with the physios, the people that need to know (what Lanning’s situation is) know what’s going on,” Jonassen said.
Lanning’s absence will undoubtedly be a huge blow for the reigning world champions. She has been in superb form in the ongoing World Cup, scoring a staggering 328 runs in just 5 innings at an impressive average of 109.33, including an undefeated 152 against Sri Lanka.
“She’s not the No.1 batter in the world for no reason. To have someone of her calibre that comes back into the side whenever she can and whenever she’s fit enough, it’s a real boost to us,” Jonassen said.
Australia, meanwhile, will enter the semifinal as the firm favourites not only because of their win against India in the group stage but also their overall record. They have won six of the last 10 World Cups and hold a 34-8 win-loss record in ODIs against their semi-final opponents. But at the same time, they cannot take India lightly who have given some outstanding performances in the tournament. Team India is the only side to defeat England and the way they dismantled New Zealand in their do-or-die group game, they will certainly fancy their chances against the defending champions.