Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are taking on Alyssa Healy’s Australia in the second semi-final of the 2025 Women’s World Cup on Thursday (October 30).
The fixture is taking place in Navi Mumbai. The players were spotted wearing black armbands during the fixture, which left the fans wondering the reason behind it. The players are paying respect to Ben Austin, a 17-year-old Australian cricketer who died during a net session in Melbourne.
Austin was struck by a ball during a net session. He was wearing a helmet but it did not have a stem guard. Austin died on the morning of the semi-final. “We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning. For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends. This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life,” Ben’s father, Jace Austin, said in a statement.
Ben’s death brought back the memories of Philip Hughes’ passing, who died after the ball hit him on his neck during a Sheffield Shield game in 2014.
Australia batting first
Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in the semi-final. They were bolstered by Alyssa Healy’s return. She missed a few matches due to an injury. A fit-again Healy is leading the defending champions in the semi-final.
India are without the services of Pratika Rawal, who suffered an injury during the last league stage game against Bangladesh. Shafali Verma, who replaced her in the squad, has been included in the final XI.
Here are playing XIs of both teams
India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (Captain), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt