“It’s the biggest rivalry in women’s cricket.” Grinning @Tammy_Beaumont on #ENG v #AUS in tomorrow’s #WT20 semi. https://t.co/IWHfYKYB3F
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 29, 2016
Tammy Beaumont cannot wait to renew “the biggest rivalry in women’s cricket” when England take on Australia in their ICC World Twenty20 semi-final tomorrow.
Charlotte Edwards’ side set up a last-four clash with their old enemy after topping Group B with four wins from as many matches.
Australia had to settle for second place in Group A following a defeat to New Zealand, but know what it takes to win a World T20 after emerging victorious in their last three.
They beat England in the final in the previous two, in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and also regained the Ashes last summer, meaning there is plenty at stake in Delhi tomorrow.
“England and Australia is the biggest rivalry in women’s cricket, just like it is in the men’s,” Beaumont told ecb.co.uk. “It is a massive rivalry and in a World Cup semi-final I don’t think it comes any bigger really.
“If you want to win a world event you have got to play and beat the best teams at some point.
The scene at #ENG women nets in Delhi. Arch rivals #AUS await in a belting semi-final tomorrow #WT20 pic.twitter.com/NfvwM1oWXs
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 29, 2016
“Facing them in a semi-final there is maybe a bit of pressure off us because they are world champions defending their title out here. A bit of pressure off us, all on them.”
Despite Australia having enjoyed recent success, Beaumont says England are concentrating on themselves rather than their opponents.
“It is stick to what we do best,” Beaumont said. “Our fielding and bowling performances have been really good out here so far and it is just a case of putting it all together in a semi-final.
“As long as we focus on what we can do then we should get a good win.”
England are yet to play at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, unlike Australia who have featured at the venue twice already.
“I think it maybe gives them a bit of an advantage, the conditions have been very different in the game we have played in different venues, so that is a bit of inside info for them,” Beaumont said.
Lots of preview filming going on with #Eng women in Delhi this morning #Semis #WT20 pic.twitter.com/EpmsGSr4vk
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 29, 2016
“But we have had a good look at the pitch, we have had a good look at the games played here so we have got a good enough idea of what the pitch and conditions are going to be like.”
Beaumont has nailed down a regular spot in Mark Robinson’s XI in India, opening the innings with Kent team-mate Edwards, and has improved with every knock.
She is now targeting a big innings against Australia after contributing scores of 18, 20, 31 and 37 so far.
“I have just got to go out there and play my natural game,” she added. “I am quite an attacking batter so it is quite nice to bat with only two fielders out.
“I feel pretty good in the nets and in the games I have put a couple of good starts together. Hopefully I can go on and make a bit more than 30. I am feeling good at the moment.
“We just have to assess the conditions quickly and see what we can get to. Be positive and go out there and attack but we don’t necessarily set a target or look to target anything in the powerplay. It has worked quite well at the moment.
“I have batted with her (Edwards) at Kent for a number of years now and it is nice to take it into an England game.”
Source: ECB