Defending champions Australia surged unbeaten into the Women's World Cup semi-finals and are clear favourites 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.&nbsp;India and Australia clash at the 45,000-capacity DY Patil Stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai on Thursday after the first semi-final between England and South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday.&nbsp;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 favourite sport.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ben-austin-17-year-old-aussie-cricketer-suffers-similar-fate-to-that-of-late-phillip-hughes-dies-after-being-hit-in-neck-1761797521157">17-year-old Aussie cricketer suffers similar fate to that of late Hughes, dies after being hit in neck</a>&nbsp;"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. "But I think the biggest thing is just embrace it. We know not everything's going to be on our side that night, but if we just stick together and stick to our processes and try to execute our plans that we've got with bat and ball, it's going to put us in a better position."&nbsp;Australia suffered a few scares in the first stage, including when Pakistan reduced them to 76-7 in a match they eventually won convincingly by 107 runs.&nbsp;India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, also tested Australia by posting 330 but the title-holders overhauled the total with three wickets and one over to spare.&nbsp;Australia are sweating on the return of skipper Alyssa Healy, who missed the last two league matches with a calf injury after scoring 294 runs including two centuries in four innings.&nbsp;In their previous victory, over South Africa, Australia were clinical with King starring with best-ever World Cup bowling figures of 7-18.<h3>Australia beatable</h3>&nbsp;In contrast, India had a patchy run in the league phase, where they lost three successive matches before clinching the last semi-final spot.&nbsp;Opener Smriti Mandhana is in top form and leads the tournament batting with 365 runs including one ton in seven matches.&nbsp;But the home team suffered a blow when another in-form opener, Pratika Rawal, went out injured in their last league match and has been replaced by Shafali Verma for the semi-final.&nbsp;India have twice been runners-up, in 2005 and 2017 -- when they beat Australia in the semi-finals before losing to England.&nbsp;Since that semi-final defeat to India, Australia have been on a roll with 15 ODI World Cup wins in a row.&nbsp;Former India captain Mithali Raj said the current team can halt the Australian juggernaut.&nbsp;"I think now there is this thought that it's a possibility to beat this Australian side despite all the strengths that they boast," Raj told ESPNcricinfo.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The winner of the Australia vs India second semi-final will face the first-time finalists South Africa in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final. 

Defending champions Australia surged unbeaten into the Women's World Cup semi-finals and are clear favourites 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 semi-final 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 favourite sport. Also read | 17-year-old Aussie cricketer suffers similar fate to that of late Hughes, dies after being hit in neck "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. "But I think the biggest thing is just embrace it. We know not everything's going to be on our side that night, but if we just stick together and stick to our processes and try to execute our plans that we've got with bat and ball, it's going to put us in a better position." Australia suffered a few scares in the first stage, including when Pakistan reduced them to 76-7 in a match they eventually won convincingly by 107 runs. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, also tested Australia by posting 330 but the title-holders overhauled the total with three wickets and one over to spare. Australia are sweating on the return of skipper Alyssa Healy, who missed the last two league matches with a calf injury after scoring 294 runs including two centuries in four innings. In their previous victory, over South Africa, Australia were clinical with King starring with best-ever World Cup bowling figures of 7-18. Australia beatable In contrast, India had a patchy run in the league phase, where they lost three successive matches before clinching the last semi-final spot. Opener Smriti Mandhana is in top form and leads the tournament batting with 365 runs including one ton in seven matches. But the home team suffered a blow when another in-form opener, Pratika Rawal, went out injured in their last league match and has been replaced by Shafali Verma for the semi-final. India have twice been runners-up, in 2005 and 2017 -- when they beat Australia in the semi-finals before losing to England. Since that semi-final defeat to India, Australia have been on a roll with 15 ODI World Cup wins in a row. Former India captain Mithali Raj said the current team can halt the Australian juggernaut. "I think now there is this thought that it's a possibility to beat this Australian side despite all the strengths that they boast," Raj told ESPNcricinfo. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The winner of the Australia vs India second semi-final will face the first-time finalists South Africa in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final.&nbsp;

WWC 2025, IND-W vs AUS-W, 2nd Semi-Final: Who is favourite to win? Check out match preview

Indian women's team put up a highly commendable performance, dominating Australia for the better part in its maiden Day/Night Test, which ended in a draw primarily due to inclement weather during the first two days.

Resuming the day at 143 for three, Ellyse Perry (68 not out) and Ashleigh Gardner (51) went on to share an 89-run stand before Indian pacers triggered the batting collapse, reducing Australia to 241 for nine from 208 for four. 
What followed was an interesting declaration from Meg Lanning at the stroke of dinner.

India, who made 377 in their first innings after being asked to bat, played 35 overs in second innings before declaring after tea to set Australia an improbable 272-run target in just 32 overs. Shafali Verma made a fine 52 off 91 balls while Punam remained unbeaten on 41 off 62 balls.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pink-ball-test-indias-smriti-mandhana-rates-her-stunning-127-run-knock-in-as-top-three-against-australia-417945">Pink ball Test: India's Smriti Mandhana rates her stunning 127-run knock in as 'top three' against Australia</a>

The target was virtually out of reach for Australia who lost Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney cheaply. Australia were 36 for two in 15 overs before players of both teams shook hands to settle for a draw.

As per rules of multi-format series, both teams settled for two points. The series score stands at 6-4 in Australia's favour. 
More than 80 overs were lost due to weather over the first two days, making draw the most likely outcome of the four-day match.

On Twitter Australian Women Cricket Team handle tweeted:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Love the contest! 
 
Catch you for the T20Is, <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIWomen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCIWomen</a> 👊 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/NFsFpGOXbo">pic.twitter.com/NFsFpGOXbo</a>
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/AusWomenCricket/status/1444630204098355201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

India could have declared at tea with 242-run lead and 41 overs to bowl but they didn't want to leave anything to chance and took the safety-first approach.

India, who came into the game with only two practise sessions with pink-ball, outplayed the Australians in all departments. It was the first time in 15 years that two teams played a Test.

Smriti Mandhana struck a memorable hundred to set the foundation for India's big total before the pace trio of Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh and Pooja Vastrakar put the Australian batters under pressure.

It would be fair to say that the Indian fast bowlers got more out of the drop in pitch than their Australian counterparts. 
Debutant Meghna impressed with her swing bowing, 38-year-old Jhulan was relentless as usual and showed age was just a number and Pooja as first change provided no respite to the batter.

India reached 106 for two in their second innings at tea. First innings centurion Mandhana (31 off 48) fell to a fantastic catch in the deep by Ashleigh Garnder.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-junior-world-championship-manu-bhaker-shines-as-four-golds-take-india-to-top-of-medal-standings-417884">ISSF Junior World Championship: Manu Bhaker shines as four golds take India to top of medal standings</a>

Yastika Bhatia (3) was then promoted to number three to push the scoring rate but she could only last 12 balls. 
In the first session, India pacers made the new pink ball talk before an under-pressure Australia made an interesting declaration.

In what seemed as an attempt to move the game forward, Meg Lanning declared the innings before her team could be bowled out.

While Deepti Sharma got rid of Gardner, Meghna once again troubled the batters with her outswingers as India took four wickets after the second new ball was taken in the 81st over.

Perry, who averages more than 78 in Test cricket, could have been out as many as three times but had the luck on her side. While one was a close leg-before shout, she was also dropped twice.

Meghna took her maiden wicket with a beautiful outswinger to have Annabel Sutherland caught behind. Her second wicket was Sophie Molineux, who was foxed by another outswinger (inswinger) to the left-hander.

Pooja had Georgia Wareham caught behind before offie Deepti took her second wicket of the day with an arm ball to dismiss Darcie Brown.

Brief Scores: 
India Women: 377 for 8 declared in 145 overs and 135/3 in 37 overs (Shafali Verma 52; Ashleigh Gardner 1/21, Sophie Molineux 1/23).

Australia Women: 241 for 9 declared in 96.4 overs (Ellyse Perry 68, Jhulan Goswami 2/33, Pooja Vastrakar 3/49) and 36/2 in 15 overs.

Indian women's team put up a highly commendable performance, dominating Australia for the better part in its maiden Day/Night Test, which ended in a draw primarily due to inclement weather during the first two days.

Indian women's team put up a highly commendable performance, dominating Australia for the better part in its maiden Day/Night Test, which ended in a draw primarily due to inclement weather during the first two days. Resuming the day at 143 for three, Ellyse Perry (68 not out) and Ashleigh Gardner (51) went on to share an 89-run stand before Indian pacers triggered the batting collapse, reducing Australia to 241 for nine from 208 for four. What followed was an interesting declaration from Meg Lanning at the stroke of dinner. India, who made 377 in their first innings after being asked to bat, played 35 overs in second innings before declaring after tea to set Australia an improbable 272-run target in just 32 overs. Shafali Verma made a fine 52 off 91 balls while Punam remained unbeaten on 41 off 62 balls. Also Read: Pink ball Test: India's Smriti Mandhana rates her stunning 127-run knock in as 'top three' against Australia The target was virtually out of reach for Australia who lost Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney cheaply. Australia were 36 for two in 15 overs before players of both teams shook hands to settle for a draw. As per rules of multi-format series, both teams settled for two points. The series score stands at 6-4 in Australia's favour. More than 80 overs were lost due to weather over the first two days, making draw the most likely outcome of the four-day match. On Twitter Australian Women Cricket Team handle tweeted: Love the contest! Catch you for the T20Is, @BCCIWomen 👊 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NFsFpGOXbo — Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) October 3, 2021 × India could have declared at tea with 242-run lead and 41 overs to bowl but they didn't want to leave anything to chance and took the safety-first approach. India, who came into the game with only two practise sessions with pink-ball, outplayed the Australians in all departments. It was the first time in 15 years that two teams played a Test. Smriti Mandhana struck a memorable hundred to set the foundation for India's big total before the pace trio of Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh and Pooja Vastrakar put the Australian batters under pressure. It would be fair to say that the Indian fast bowlers got more out of the drop in pitch than their Australian counterparts. Debutant Meghna impressed with her swing bowing, 38-year-old Jhulan was relentless as usual and showed age was just a number and Pooja as first change provided no respite to the batter. India reached 106 for two in their second innings at tea. First innings centurion Mandhana (31 off 48) fell to a fantastic catch in the deep by Ashleigh Garnder. ALSO READ | ISSF Junior World Championship: Manu Bhaker shines as four golds take India to top of medal standings Yastika Bhatia (3) was then promoted to number three to push the scoring rate but she could only last 12 balls. In the first session, India pacers made the new pink ball talk before an under-pressure Australia made an interesting declaration. In what seemed as an attempt to move the game forward, Meg Lanning declared the innings before her team could be bowled out. While Deepti Sharma got rid of Gardner, Meghna once again troubled the batters with her outswingers as India took four wickets after the second new ball was taken in the 81st over. Perry, who averages more than 78 in Test cricket, could have been out as many as three times but had the luck on her side. While one was a close leg-before shout, she was also dropped twice. Meghna took her maiden wicket with a beautiful outswinger to have Annabel Sutherland caught behind. Her second wicket was Sophie Molineux, who was foxed by another outswinger (inswinger) to the left-hander. Pooja had Georgia Wareham caught behind before offie Deepti took her second wicket of the day with an arm ball to dismiss Darcie Brown. Brief Scores: India Women: 377 for 8 declared in 145 overs and 135/3 in 37 overs (Shafali Verma 52; Ashleigh Gardner 1/21, Sophie Molineux 1/23). Australia Women: 241 for 9 declared in 96.4 overs (Ellyse Perry 68, Jhulan Goswami 2/33, Pooja Vastrakar 3/49) and 36/2 in 15 overs.

Mithali Raj-led India dominate Australia as historic pink-ball Test ends in a draw

The entire multi-format series in the Indian women`s team tour of Australia will now be played in the state of Queensland due to the restrictions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. The change is subject to final approval for the Indian team`s quarantine in Brisbane. 
 
It is also reported that the start of the series will be delayed by two days. "After the quarantine, the Indians will play a practice match in Brisbane on September 18. It is understood that the BCCI had asked for the warm-up game and multiple training sessions ahead of it (series) following completion of quarantine, based on their takeaways from India`s tour of UK earlier this year, when there were no tour games, which affected the team`s preparations," said a report by ESPNCricinfo. 
 
The Indian team, consisting of 22 members along with support staff, chief selector Neetu David and panel member V Kalpana, will leave for Australia from Bengaluru later on Sunday and serve a mandatory quarantine till September 13. 
 
The Australian cricketers who are not from Queensland are expected to come next week, with those arriving from Melbourne and Sydney required to quarantine. 
 
In the original schedule, North Sydney Oval and Junction Oval were to host the three ODIs on September 19, 22 and 24. It was to be followed by the one-off pink-ball Test from September 30-October 3 at Perth. After the Test, the three T20Is were to take place at the North Sydney Oval on October 7, 9 and 11. 
 
But the resurgence of COVID-19 has forced lockdowns around Australia and venues to be rejigged. This means that the whole series will be played between two venues -- the Metricon Stadium in Carrara hosting the Test and T20Is, while Harrup Park in Mackay will stage the ODIs. 
 
The Allan Border Field in Brisbane had hosted the limited-overs series between Australia and New Zealand in September-October last year. But the stadium is unavailable due to redevelopment. 
 
"The formal approval of plans by the BCCI is also being sought by Cricket Australia, but sources with knowledge of negotiations indicated that the Indian board had never wavered in its commitment to the tour, having announced its squad last week. Sources with knowledge of talks have indicated that one of the roadblocks to staging the series in other states has been a reluctance to allow players and staff from Sydney or Melbourne to enter for quarantine and training, even though the entire group is fully vaccinated," said a report by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. 
 
The report also said that apart from the women`s series against India, the start of the men`s domestic season with the Marsh Cup will be affected too due to COVID-19. In this situation, staging a successful series against India will help Cricket Australia (CA) in building a case for the men`s Ashes to be hosted later in the year. 
 
"The successful arrival of India`s team and staging of the series would be a helpful outcome for CA at a time when it is in talks with the ECB about terms around the playing of the men`s Ashes series this summer. England`s players have raised concern about quarantine terms for themselves and their families, to the point that as many as 10 players have indicated they may not tour. However, the provision of quarantine periods with a good degree of freedom of movement at Queensland resorts on the Gold Coast - affording plenty of outdoor activity and golf courses - would likely assuage many of these concerns," further said the report.

The entire multi-format series in the Indian women`s team tour of Australia will now be played in the state of Queensland due to the restrictions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

The entire multi-format series in the Indian women`s team tour of Australia will now be played in the state of Queensland due to the restrictions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. The change is subject to final approval for the Indian team`s quarantine in Brisbane. It is also reported that the start of the series will be delayed by two days. "After the quarantine, the Indians will play a practice match in Brisbane on September 18. It is understood that the BCCI had asked for the warm-up game and multiple training sessions ahead of it (series) following completion of quarantine, based on their takeaways from India`s tour of UK earlier this year, when there were no tour games, which affected the team`s preparations," said a report by ESPNCricinfo. The Indian team, consisting of 22 members along with support staff, chief selector Neetu David and panel member V Kalpana, will leave for Australia from Bengaluru later on Sunday and serve a mandatory quarantine till September 13. The Australian cricketers who are not from Queensland are expected to come next week, with those arriving from Melbourne and Sydney required to quarantine. In the original schedule, North Sydney Oval and Junction Oval were to host the three ODIs on September 19, 22 and 24. It was to be followed by the one-off pink-ball Test from September 30-October 3 at Perth. After the Test, the three T20Is were to take place at the North Sydney Oval on October 7, 9 and 11. But the resurgence of COVID-19 has forced lockdowns around Australia and venues to be rejigged. This means that the whole series will be played between two venues -- the Metricon Stadium in Carrara hosting the Test and T20Is, while Harrup Park in Mackay will stage the ODIs. The Allan Border Field in Brisbane had hosted the limited-overs series between Australia and New Zealand in September-October last year. But the stadium is unavailable due to redevelopment. "The formal approval of plans by the BCCI is also being sought by Cricket Australia, but sources with knowledge of negotiations indicated that the Indian board had never wavered in its commitment to the tour, having announced its squad last week. Sources with knowledge of talks have indicated that one of the roadblocks to staging the series in other states has been a reluctance to allow players and staff from Sydney or Melbourne to enter for quarantine and training, even though the entire group is fully vaccinated," said a report by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. The report also said that apart from the women`s series against India, the start of the men`s domestic season with the Marsh Cup will be affected too due to COVID-19. In this situation, staging a successful series against India will help Cricket Australia (CA) in building a case for the men`s Ashes to be hosted later in the year. "The successful arrival of India`s team and staging of the series would be a helpful outcome for CA at a time when it is in talks with the ECB about terms around the playing of the men`s Ashes series this summer. England`s players have raised concern about quarantine terms for themselves and their families, to the point that as many as 10 players have indicated they may not tour. However, the provision of quarantine periods with a good degree of freedom of movement at Queensland resorts on the Gold Coast - affording plenty of outdoor activity and golf courses - would likely assuage many of these concerns," further said the report.

India tour of Australia: All matches to be played in Queensland

Cricket Australia on Saturday said that the Indian women team's Test against Australia will be played on a fresh pitch at the WACA Ground in Perth unlike ECB's decision of conducting the one-off match on the used track.&nbsp;

"It's standard practice in Australia to ensure fresh pitches are available for all men's and women's Test matches and this season will be no different," CA Head of Operations Peter Roach was quoted as saying by '7Cricket'.

The Women in Blue will tour Australia to play a day/night Test, three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals in September-October.&nbsp;

"We have seen the women's game rise to a new level in recent times and it is important we provide the platform for that trend to continue."

The Test match will take place from September 30 to October 3.&nbsp;

"The WACA Ground and Manuka Oval are terrific venue for Test cricket and with first-class ground staff, we are extremely confident that the facilities for the two women's Tests will be of the highest standard."

The decision was taken after ECB was criticised for providing a used pitch to the women's team. England women's team captain Heather Knight had expressed her disappointment on playing on a used pitch.&nbsp;

ECB had apologised for providing a used pitch for the one-off Test between INDW vs ENGW.&nbsp;

"We are all disappointed that the wicket for the LV= Insurance Test match against India will have had 37 overs played on it. We know that England Women deserve a fresh wicket and we are sorry that we were unable to provide that in this instance.

"We accept that this issue shouldn't have arisen and we will make sure it doesn't happen in the future," a spokesperson from the ECB had said.

Cricket Australia on Saturday said that the Indian women team's Test against Australia will be played on a fresh pitch at the WACA Ground in Perth unlike ECB's decision of conducting the one-off match on the used track.

Cricket Australia on Saturday said that the Indian women team's Test against Australia will be played on a fresh pitch at the WACA Ground in Perth unlike ECB's decision of conducting the one-off match on the used track. "It's standard practice in Australia to ensure fresh pitches are available for all men's and women's Test matches and this season will be no different," CA Head of Operations Peter Roach was quoted as saying by '7Cricket'. The Women in Blue will tour Australia to play a day/night Test, three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals in September-October. "We have seen the women's game rise to a new level in recent times and it is important we provide the platform for that trend to continue." The Test match will take place from September 30 to October 3. "The WACA Ground and Manuka Oval are terrific venue for Test cricket and with first-class ground staff, we are extremely confident that the facilities for the two women's Tests will be of the highest standard." The decision was taken after ECB was criticised for providing a used pitch to the women's team. England women's team captain Heather Knight had expressed her disappointment on playing on a used pitch. ECB had apologised for providing a used pitch for the one-off Test between INDW vs ENGW. "We are all disappointed that the wicket for the LV= Insurance Test match against India will have had 37 overs played on it. We know that England Women deserve a fresh wicket and we are sorry that we were unable to provide that in this instance. "We accept that this issue shouldn't have arisen and we will make sure it doesn't happen in the future," a spokesperson from the ECB had said.

Indian women's Test against Australia will be played on 'fresh' WACA pitch, says CA

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WWC 2025, IND-W vs AUS-W, 2nd Semi-Final: Who is favourite to win? Check out match preview

Mithali Raj-led India dominate Australia as historic pink-ball Test ends in a draw

India tour of Australia: All matches to be played in Queensland

Indian women's Test against Australia will be played on 'fresh' WACA pitch, says CA