'Avoid bowling spin to Harmanpreet'

London, July 22: On the eve of Sunday’s ICC Women’s World Cup fil at Lord’s here against India, former England men’s team skipper sser Hussain advised the hosts not to employ spinners against all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur, who smacked a 115-ball unbeaten 171 against Australia to help the women-in-blue reach the summit clash.
Kaur’s sensatiol hitting in Thursday’s second semi-fil at Derby sent Australia packing. The 49-year-old former England captain advised the eves to control the power-hitting of Kaur by avoiding spinners against her, if they are to win the title.
“My only advice to captain (Heather) Knight would be not to bowl spin when Kaur comes in because she absolutely smacked it against the Aussies at Derby on Thursday. Keep her quiet and England should be in business,” Hussain wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
While Hussain predicted an English win on Sunday, citing more depth in the home side, he also cautioned them against any complacency, given that India are the only side to beat England in the group stages of the tourment.
“Sunday’s fil should be a cracking affair, with India being the only side to have beaten England in this tourment,” he wrote.
“India have been the sleeping giant of the women’s game but they have awoken now and that could be hugely significant for the sport, just as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s win in the 2007 World Twenty20 was arguably the making of the short game.
“I just fancy England at Lord’s, even though India have had an exceptiol tourment to get this far. Heather Knight’s side have more depth and I think their advance to the fil has been a genuine all-round team effort,” he added. IANS