Women s World Cup: India favourites against West Indies

New Delhi June 28 (IANS) Fresh after a 35-run victory over strong title contenders England in their opening encounter of the ongoing Women s Cricket World Cup India have displayed a swagger and quick moves on the field that make them look ominous.

The Indian eves are all prepared to take on the brilliant yet erratic West Indies on County Ground Taunton on Thursday. The West Indies are the injured tigresses on the prowl waiting for their first win after a humiliating eight-wicket drubbing by the Australian girls who are prone to middle-order collapse against big teams. In their first encounter against the Aussies the West Indies lost their last seven wickets for less than 60 runs. In the head to head records India have a 5-0 advantage over the West Indies in World Cup ODIs over a stretch of two decades -- 1993 to 2013. The West Indies have set a brilliant record in scoring runs and are consistently improving their rankings in ODIs but are prone to sudden batting collapses. Having finished as runners-up position in the last World Cup where India were seventh the West Indies have already set a barometer against India as they are seeking their first World Cup victory. Leading the attack is Diandra Dottin the hardest hitter of the leather ball in the women s game. Skipper Stafanie Taylor -- arguably the best all-rounder in the game -- former skipper Merissa Aguilleira who is swift behind the wickets and Hayley Matthews experience could create problems for the Indians. The Indian bowlers will have to refrain from bowling anything in the arch and short deliveries which are likely to be dispatched towards or over the boundary ropes with disdain. The Carribbeans are mercurial and place their strength in chasing. However statistical favourites India need to put on the pressure while fielding and win this to maintain their top four position in the round robin format of the first round. India skipper Mithali Raj is in the most destructive form of her career and has scored consecutive seven half-centuries. She has been unbeaten in six of those innings. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Raut are expected to give India an explosive start. The concern for India is running between wickets and wicket-keeping by an inconsistent Sushma Verma who missed two chances that oscillated the game towards England in the last match. Historically Indian wins are dependent on caught-behinds and stumpings in which Anju Jain holds a record of 31 dismissals that includes 17 stumps and 14 catches. With a dominating 5-0 record against the West Indies across five World Cups India remain at an advantageous position with 155 runs in the first face-off against the West Indies in 1993. In the year 1997 West Indies were unable to chase a target of 145 runs and managed just 83. In 2005 the West Indies set a handsome score of 135 that India chased successfully. In 2009 India took the winning track once again and easily chased the target of 85 runs. The year 2013 brought another opportunity where India scored 284 runs marking its highest total in the history of the World Cup with the West Indies folding up at 179 runs. Thirush Kamini and Punam Raut had produced a record breaking partnership of 175 runs. Top order batting and middle overs bowling along with conversion of half-chances into run-outs are India s strength and can easily rely on these two departments for their victory. (The writer is a Women s Cricket Historian and expert. He can be contacted at sunilyash.kalra@prosportify.com) --IANS kalra/ajb/bg