The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Losing to Kiwis was turning point: Jhulan

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Losing to Kiwis was turning point: Jhulan

Kolkata: Though happy to be back as the No. 1 bowler in the ICC women’s ODI rankings, India skipper Jhulan Goswami is disappointed at the team’s third-place finish in the ICC women’s World Cup in Australia.

Recollecting the memories from down under, which included meeting her ‘all-time idol’ Glenn McGrath, after returning from the ICC women’s World Cup in Australia, Jhulan said the title had been well within reach.

“Losing to New Zealand was turning point of the tournament. A little competitive approach with some good fielding back-up would have clinched us the tie against the Kiwis. It was simply not our day (against the Kiwis). We fielded badly,” she said.

“We faced the West Indies in our next match and won it hands down. If we had crossed the New Zealand hurdle, the title would have been well within our reach. It’s very disappointing,” she said.

The team, however, notched up a high, beating Australia in Australia for the first time. And it happened twice in a space of seven days. Last edition’s runner-up India finished third this time, beating defending champion Australia by three wickets in a play-off.

In the Super Six too, Australia went down to India. In the final, England defeated New Zealand to win the cup.

Best memory

“For us, beating Australia on its home turf was a first; and the fact that we beat them twice, it was a big achievement. That will obviously be the best memory of mine in the World Cup,” she said.

Just months ago, Australia had made a clean sweep of India in a five ODI series in October-November 2008.

The 25-year-old captain also had a quiet conversation with McGrath, her all-time favourite.

“McGrath used to come to the lobby of our hotel. It feels great to have spoken to the great cricketer. He is a thorough gentleman,” she said.

“We also met (Aussie fast bowler) Brett Lee who had come for some official work during the match against Australia. It was really a memorable experience for us,” she said.

About her first time experience of leading in the World Cup, the ICC Women’s Player for 2007 said: “leading a side involves a lot of responsibility. There’s a lot of expectation from you. You have to take decisions yourself. You have to stand by your decision.”

Four wickets from the World Cup meant that Jhulan leapfrogged England’s Isa Guha and Shelley Nitschke of Australia to regain her No. 1 spot in the ratings ladder.

“It (the ranking) is indeed motivating. But we have to keep performing. As of now, we are taking a few days’ rest and awaiting the domestic Twenty20 championship.”

Her next target is the ICC World Twenty20 for women, to be held alongside the men’s World T20 in England. — PTI

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