Key events
Weather watch
There were showers in Navi Mumbai this morning, it says here, with a small chance of more rain later in the day. There’s a reserve day if necessary, so I think we can safely cool our jets where the weather is concerned.
Jack Snape
Five of Australia’s all-conquering team set for a showdown against hosts India in the women’s cricket World Cup semi-final on Thursday have surged through the threshold of $1m annual earnings, as the growing financial opportunities in the global game approach and even exceed the value of Cricket Australia contracts.
That group might soon expand too, given an Indian Women’s Premier League “mega auction” is scheduled for November. The Australians – who have won three of the past four world T20 titles and are defending 50-over champions – are set to attract significant interest from the five franchises, each of which have approximately $2.6m to spend for the month-long tournament.
Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh said he expected women’s salaries to continue to grow. “It’s healthy, it can offer more and more players those sorts of opportunities, because that means we’ve got a better chance of securing the best athletes in the country.”
Preamble
Opal Fruits aren’t the only thing that make your mouth water. Since time immemorial, World Cups – all sports, not just cricket – have been enriched by one particular fixture: a knockout game between the hosts and the holders.
India v Australia in Navi Mumbai is about as mouthwatering as semi-finals get. India, the hosts, are desperate to win their first World Cup. Australia, the holders, are favourites to win their eighth. Before the tournament, most people thought this would be the final; instead the two teams are fighting for the right to face South Africa on Sunday.
The group game between the sides was a minor classic that produced 661 runs. Tonight’s game could be an epic.
The match starts at 9.30am GMT, 7.30pm AEST, 3pm in Navi Mumbai.
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