Veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami on Wednesday backed teen batting sensation Shafali Verma to overcome her poor form in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup soon, saying that the swashbuckler is hitting the ball quite well during net sessions.
Verma was dismissed for a duck in the opening game against Pakistan on Sunday that India won and hasn’t exactly done well for the past few games. The 18-year-old’s form is expected to be crucial to the team’s chances of landing a first ever ICC title.
“Shafali has already proved herself. She is a very exciting cricketer. But these things happen with every cricketer,” Jhulan said in a virtual press conference ahead of the game against New Zealand here on Thursday.
“She is working hard at the nets, she is batting well at the nets; she is hitting the ball really well.
“She is just one big knock away and if she gets an opportunity, I am sure she is going to do well,” Jhulan added.
Talking about the upcoming match, the pacer said it was important to bowl in the right areas against New Zealand.
“Against New Zealand, it is important to bowl in the right area. The grounds are pretty open, winds are always flowing, we have discussed how to take advantage of those things.”
Match starts: 6.30am IST, Star Sports Network
England’s 2nd loss
Reigning champions England face an uphill task to qualify for the semi-finals after West Indies handed them their second defeat in their first two matches with a seven-run victory in Dunedin on Wednesday.
England’s last two batters were dismissed in the 48th over just as it looked like they would reach their victory target of 226 and West Indies celebrated again after stunning hosts New Zealand in last week’s tournament opener.
It was a first victory for West Indies against England at the World Cup and put them second behind favourites Australia in the standings for the round robin stage, from which the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals.
Brief scores: West Indies Women 225/6 in 50 overs (S. Campbelle 66). England Women 218 all out in 47.4 overs (S. Connell 3/38). WI Women won by 7 runs.