Blackwell shines light on unsung heroes

The all-round strength of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad could be the key to a fourth consecutive World T20 title, vice-captain Alex Blackwell believes.

Performances including Meg Lanning's semi-final half-century and her unbeaten 30 against South Africa while suffering from gastro, plus Ellyse Villani's outstanding return to form after being dropped in January, have deservedly earned their share of praise as the Aussies have made their way to the final.

However Blackwell, one of the veterans of a young side, believes the contributions that have attracted less of the spotlight also deserve to be recognised.

"We've been really pleased with our overall performance," Blackwell said at Eden Gardens on Friday. 

"We've got a squad of 15 and they're all quality players.

Quick Single: Innovator Blackwell switches things up

"We've chased low totals and we've really benefitted from the way Elyse Villani has kicked into gear and taken the game on in the opening overs and our power plays have been really impressive, particularly the last one.

"So she's a key and obviously Meg Lanning has been a real rock for us throughout and a power player as well when she needs to be.

"But we've got plenty of players around (Lanning), Ellyse Perry has been instrumental in our batting order in recent years and I think you can't ignore our impact players."

Contributions including the tight spin bowling combination of Kristen Beams and Jess Jonassen which has strangled opposition teams, have particularly impressed Blackwell.

"Alyssa Healy, the way she took on Katherine Brunt, England's spearhead, in the semi-final and I think that really set the tone," Blackwell said.

"The small contributions can have a really big impact. 

"I really look at the way we've come back after the power play overs with the ball, someone like Kristen Beams, someone who maybe hasn't had the spotlight but who has had a huge impact after those six overs in combination with Jess Jonassen.

"I think that’s been a key as well, plus Megan Schutt and Rene Farrell with their change of pace and their accuracy. 

"We need to be hitting the stumps on these wickets and they've done that more often than not."

Preview: Stars chase history against the Windies

The Southern Stars had their first look at Eden Gardens, the venue for Sunday's final against the West Indies, on Friday as the majority of the squad took part in an optional training session.

It's a venue Australia found success at in their only previous match at the venue – the 1997 one-day World Cup final against New Zealand – and Blackwell said the squad was looking forward to a good contest against West Indies.

"We know this is a popular place for Australians, especially the women's team," she said.

"We won a World Cup here in 1997 led by Belinda Clark and she sends her well wishes and reminds us about this being a home to Australians despite being a long way away. 

"We're really looking forward to the challenge, we've played the West Indies in the final before, in the ODI World Cup, but this will be a new challenge."