Charlotte Edwards claims Australia are huge favourites against England in World T20 semi-final
Wednesday 30 March 2016 05:48, UK
England skipper Charlotte Edwards insists Australia are huge favourites against England in Wednesday’s World Twenty20 semi-final in Delhi, live and exclusive on Sky Sports 2.
Australia have won the last three women's World T20 finals, beating England by four runs in the 2012 final and earning a six-wicket victory in the 2014 showpiece in Dhaka.
The Southern Stars also beat England in last summer's multi-format Women's Ashes series although Edwards' side have won two of the last three T20 matches between the sides.
Asked if Australia would start the match as favourites, Edwards told Sky Sports News HQ: "Yeah without a doubt. They've won the last three tournaments and they obviously beat us in the summer so they are huge favourites for tomorrow.
"But we know when we are at our best we can beat them. We have the belief we can do that but they have got a lot of things in their favour at the moment - they have played here before - but tomorrow is going to be a huge game between two massive teams and it's one I'm sure all the players are looking forward to."
England played in the north of India in Dharamsala on Friday before travelling to Chennai in the deep south for Sunday's win over Pakistan, and only arrived in Delhi late on Monday.
By contrast, Australia's last two matches have been in Delhi but Edwards is not fazed by the travelling, preferring to focus on the quality of the pitch for Wednesday's eagerly anticipated encounter.
"We knew the schedule when we got out here," she said. "We knew it would be pretty tough but we're looking forward to a great contest tomorrow.
"I think it's going to be a little bit quicker than some of the pitches we have played on so far in this competition, which is a good thing. From what I hear it's probably one of the better pitches in the tournament so hopefully that will be the same for tomorrow as well."
Edwards was one of nine England players that took part in the Women's Big Bash League in Australia over the winter, but she says the bond forged with several of the Southern Stars' players will count for nothing come game time.
"We're frenemies tomorrow," she said
"I've played with a lot of them all winter but when you step over the line and play for your country it's England v Australia and all of that goes out of the window.
"It was be fiercely competitive on the pitch between two teams that massively want to get into the World Cup final in Calcutta, which would be one of the best days of our lives. That's what we are all looking forward to tomorrow."