Search

show me:

Wareham the Aussies' big-game weapon

3 minute read

Georgia Wareham is aged just 20 but the legspinner has already proven she can perform in the big games in World Cups for Australia.

Georgia Wareham's penchant for performing in big games could prove crucial for Australia in Thursday night's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

Wareham will come into the SCG clash as Australia's only wrist spinner, in a tournament where leggies have routinely proved the most dangerous.

But the 20-year-old has already shown she is well adept at handling the pressure.

After being overlooked for the first three games of the tournament, she claimed 3-17 in Australia's must-win clash against New Zealand on Monday.

Her wickets came at vital times in the Silver Ferns' faltering chase, as she took the biggest scalps of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Maddy Green.

It also follows her last performance in a World Cup, where she had 2-11 from three overs to help set up Australia's victory in the 2018 final against England.

"To come in and get three really big wickets for us in a big game is a testament to her character and how calm she is under pressure," captain Meg Lanning said.

"Leg spin plays a really big role iin T20 cricket, especially with so many right-handers, the ball spinning away from the bat makes a really big difference.

"We saw that the other day with two stumpings beating the outside edge."

Australia are one of the few teams who haven't played a legspinner for the majority of the tournament.

India's Poonam Yadav wreaked havoc on the opening night against the hosts, while fellow semi-finalists England have Sarah Glenn and South Africa posses Dane van Neikerk.

But Lanning insisted there hadn't been anything Wareham needed to change in her game before coming into the business end of the tournament cold.

"We're really honest with our communication to players around selections. It just came down to match ups and conditions," Lanning said.

"It wasn't that she was bowling badly, it was just that we went with a different team.

"We said through the whole tournament we would decide our final XI on who we are playing and the conditions."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au