MUMBAI, India: Defending champions Australia surged unbeaten into the Women’s World Cup semifinals and are clear favorites to defeat hosts India in front of an expected sell-out crowd.
Seven-time champions Australia won six of their seven league matches to underline why they are the team to beat in the 50-over tournament, the other game being a washout.
India and Australia clash at the 45,000-capacity DY Patil Stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai on Thursday after the first semifinal between England and South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday.
India will have the crowd firmly on their side and the country of 1.4 billion is desperate to win a first women’s World Cup crown in its favorite sport.
“You’re not just playing the XI on the field, you’re playing their whole nation, and the whole stadium is going to be a sea of blue,” Australia leg-spinner Alana King said.
