T20 World Cup - Headingley steps up to host double-header as Australia and India look to build on winning starts
WORLD CUP cricket returns to Headingley for the first time in seven years on Wednesday, as Leeds hosts two Group A fixtures featuring powerhouses India and Australia.
Six-time champions Australia will open proceedings under against Bangladesh, who are touring England for the first time and bolstered by their opening win against the Dutch.
Australia eased past South Africa by 65 runs in their opener under new captain Sophie Molineux.
Retained by defending champions Sunrisers Leeds for the Hundred, Phoebe Litchfield smashed a crucial 23-ball half-century to rescue Australia against the Proteas in Manchester.
“She is amazing, extremely skilful, Litchfield’s confidence and her game is going through the roof,” said Molineux.
After launching their title bid with a statement 64-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s team will meet the Netherlands in the second game of the double-header.
A record-breaking crowd of 18,814 flocked to Edgbaston for the India-Pakistan showdown, setting a new milestone for the highest attendance at a Women’s T20 World Cup group-stage match.
Deepti Sharma, Sunrisers Leeds’ bargain buy at the Women’s Hundred auction, delivered the best figures (5-10) by an Indian in World Cup history to dismantle Pakistan.
"I think our intent was quite good, and everyone is in good shape. It doesn’t matter how you start your campaign; we got that confidence from last year's World Cup. We just want to play our best cricket,” said Deepti.
On a day when India recorded a famous win over Pakistan, the Netherlands lost their campaign opener to Bangladesh by six wickets.
"They are a good team, and it's the first time they have qualified for the World Cup. We are not taking that game lightly,” added Deepti.
While Deepti and Smriti Mandhana (68) produced the on-field fireworks, the India-Pakistan clash also dominated headlines after players declined to exchange traditional handshakes before and after the match.
Following Pakistan’s defeat at the hands of India, head coach Wahab Riaz chose to downplay the handshake controversy.
“I just left cricket way before, so I don't know the reason for not shaking hands,” said Riaz. “But I think if things want to move like this, let's go like that. It won't make a big difference.”
Pakistan head to Headingley next Tuesday for their high-stakes Group A encounter against Australia.