MCGRATH: NOW IS TIME FOR AUSTRALIA TO DRAW ON DEPTH
Media release
Tahlia McGrath insists Australia are ready to call on their squad strength after two of their star players suffered injuries in a nine-wicket win over Pakistan.
The reigning champions are in the driving seat in Group A but disaster struck twice in Dubai.
Tayla Vlaeminck dislocated her shoulder while trying to stop a boundary in the first over and captain Alyssa Healy retired hurt with a calf injury.
Doubts surround the duo’s ongoing participation at ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, with Australia facing a tough test against India in Sharjah on Sunday, but vice-captain McGrath believes her side have the resources to compensate.
“The thing about this Australia team is the depth we have,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s time to use it.”
On the Vlaeminck incident, McGrath said: “We’re heartbroken for her. She has had a really tough run of injuries. We love Tay and it was pretty hard to watch. It was just about coming together as a group and focusing on the job at hand, so that (huddle after Vlaeminck's injury) was really important.”
Spinner Ash Gardner emerged with figures of four for 21, profiting from a springier surface than the one she bowled on last time out against New Zealand at Sharjah.
“It was nice conditions,” said the Player of the Match. “There was a bit more bounce and with the way I bowl, that helps me, and the little bit of spin was also handy. It was a clinical performance from a bowling perspective, and I was lucky enough to pick up a few wickets at the end.”
Gardner, who helped Ellyse Perry knock off the last few runs, is looking forward to Sunday’s clash with India - a repeat of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final.
“We have a really big challenge coming up against India,” she said. “They will certainly challenge me personally,and have had a few good battles with them over the years.”
It has been a tough 24 hours for Pakistan, who lost captain Fatima Sana on the eve of the fixture as she returned home after the death of her father.
That being said, stand-in skipper Muneeba Ali did not hold back in her criticism of the batting performance that saw her side hustled out for 82.
“It has been challenging but as professionals, we are aware of the magnitude of this game,” said Muneeba. “We have to play good enough cricket, but we were not up to the mark in the batting department. That is not how you approach T20s and it was embarrassing.
“Belief should have been there - that is why we are here to play and win matches. We are here to play; we are here to win and everyone has to step up and have the confidence to win the last match (against New Zealand). Everyone in the batting group needs to step up.”