Former Australia pace bowler Brett Lee believes that there is no “favourite or underdog” in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup final, which will be played between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. For Australia, it will be their sixth successive appearance in the T20 World Cup final and they will play for a record fifth T20 World Cup title. For India, this is their maiden appearance in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.
“With two incredible teams in front of a huge crowd at the MCG, Sunday will probably go down as one of the biggest days in women’s sport and I really can’t wait for it to unfold,” wrote Brett Lee in his column for ICC.
“Usually ahead of a final there’s a favourite and an underdog but I think it’s so hard to separate these teams. Australia are four-time champions and know what it takes to play on home soil while India have won every game so far. But playing in a major final is unlike anything else — you can’t compare it to any other cricket match so Australia’s experience of playing in those big matches could be so important,” he added.
India defeated Australia in the first game of the tournament in Sydney and since then are undefeated to make it to their maiden T20 World Cup final after their semi-final clash was washed out. However, Brett Lee feels that Australia have the advantage because of the experience and hoe ground at the MCG.
“Meg Lanning and her side may have lost that first match but the way they have come back since has been brilliant,” said Lee. “To know that you can’t make any more mistakes — in a tournament where their expectation and pressure is greater than ever — takes a lot of character and they’ve shown that in their team.”
“They were beaten by the better India team on the day but they haven’t looked back since, the batters and bowlers have both delivered and stood up for their country when needed. “As an Australian, I’d love nothing more than for Lanning’s team to do the job,” he added.
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The former Australian speedster, however, feels that if India win the World Cup, it would bring a huge change in India. He also thinks Shafali Verma will play the key role in India’s win who has scores of 29, 39, 46 and 47 respectively.
“In Shafali Verma, India boast one of the most talented players in the world and you feel that for Australia to win the game, dismissing her will likely be their first job,” said Lee. “I’ve been so impressed with the opener – it’s staggering to believe she’s only 16 with the confidence she has in her own ability and the way she strikes the ball so cleanly.”
“She’s such good fun to watch and I’m not sure the women’s game has seen anyone like her for such a long time. To be the world’s best T20 batter already shows just how far she has progressed in such a short space of time and the experience in this tournament will hold her in good stead for years to come,” he added.
“Even with the way she’s played in Australia and her fearless brand of cricket, you still get the feeling she has more to come as well. She’s got a big score in her locker and there’s probably no better place to do that than the MCG,” he further shared.
