Aussies keeping coy on Lanning availability

Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell says the 2017 Women’s World Cup has been the toughest edition she has played in.

Blackwell, a veteran of four campaigns including two victories in 2005 and 2013, believes the standard of cricket played currently in the women’s game is unsurpassed since her debut in 2003.

“I think it is the hardest fought World Cup so far, the depth of teams has been great,” Blackwell said.

“To see a very strong team like New Zealand miss out, I thought they were going to be a real threat in this tournament.

“Even the (2013 finalists) West Indies, they were very much a side who could make the semis but they may have been disappointed with their efforts.

"It’s been a great World Cup and I think we all expected it to be.”

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The Australia women face India in the second semi-final, with Blackwell playing her 28th match against the subcontinent side, more than any other Australia player.

"I'm very impressed with the way India have played in this tournament from the very beginning,” she said.

“The way that they have lifted their game with their aggressive approach to their batting, they are a very dangerous unit.”

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The middle-order batter was coy when it came to the injury to captain Meg Lanning, with no decision made on whether she will face India yet.

Lanning opted out of an optional training session, forgoing a last-chance hit-out at the Derby ground in favour of resting her shoulder ailment.

“I don't know what the team is tomorrow. we're looking forward to having our best team out possible,” Blackwell said.

“I don't think Meg Lanning needs to be hitting any more balls in the nets.

"She'll maximise every opportunity she has to prepare and she'll have no doubt about her ability to perform tomorrow.”

India have featured in Derby on four occasions, unbeaten on the ground, whilst Australia are yet to play a match on the County Ground for the tournament, arriving just four days prior to the semi-final.

“They have played here and we haven't so that gives them a small advantage perhaps, but our team have adapted really well to whatever pitch we play on,” she said.

“We've been lucky to play on some great wickets on some great grounds but we've had a couple of good hit outs already.”

The winner of the semi-final will face England at Lord’s on Sunday, with all 26,500 tickets sold out for the match.

Should Australia advance to the final, Blackwell will become Australia’s most-capped female ODI player, surpassing Karen Rolton’s current record of 141 matches.