Australia gained the toss and determined to bat first within the Girls’s World Cup semifinal towards India in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, however the ambiance on the stadium carried a solemn undertone as each groups took the sector sporting black armbands in reminiscence of Ben Austin. The gesture was a mark of respect for the late Ben Austin, a 17-year-old boy who died on Thursday after he was hit by a cricket ball throughout a observe session in Melbourne.His passing has shaken the cricket world. The black armbands symbolise the unity and empathy shared between the 2 cricketing nations past the competition on the sector. Australia captain Alyssa Healy, who returned from damage to steer the facet, mentioned, “We’re going to bat. Nice circumstances right here and alternative for us to place runs on the board. I’m grateful for the chance to get that 10-day break for the rehab. It’s a semi-final and it is principally whoever performs higher will get the end result. Only one different change. Sophie Molineux is available in for Wareham.” India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her facet’s dedication forward of the high-stakes conflict. “We had been seeking to bat first, if we get early breakthrough that might be nice for us. We all know this pitch, we had so many camps right here and in addition performed our final 2 video games right here. Each time we play Australia, we speak about going with a fearless mindset. Sadly, Pratika shouldn’t be there due to her damage. Shafali is available in for her. Richa and Kranti are again for Uma and Harleen,” Kaur mentioned. Whereas the main focus stays firmly on an exhilarating semifinal conflict between two cricketing powerhouses, the black armbands served as a poignant reminder that the spirit of the sport extends far past boundaries and scoreboards. Either side, united in grief, will look to honour Ben Austin with a efficiency worthy of his ardour for the game.India Girls (Enjoying XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh ThakurAustralia Girls (Enjoying XI): Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy(w/c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schut