Former Australian pacer Brett Lee on Monday (March 9) said it was really difficult for him to see Shafali Verma in tears during India’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final loss to Australia Women at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday (March 8).
India Women were outplayed by the hosts and the defending champions in all departments to win the T20 World Cup title for the record fifth time by thrashing India by 85 runs at the MCG on Sunday.
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The 16-year-old batting sensation was dominating the showpiece event till the summit clash, but she could not deliver when the team needed most against the Australia eves, though, Lee said she should be very proud of the way she played in the tournament at this age. He further added that she will come back stronger learning from this experience and will be only going to get better from here.
Lee wrote in his column for the ICC: “I really felt for Shafali Verma at the end, it was tough seeing her in tears but she should be very proud of the way she's performed in Australia.”
He further added, “To come out here and face your first tournament head-on is testament to her talent and mental strength, and she's only going to get better from here. She'll learn from this experience and come back stronger. Moments like this can define you in a positive way...Don't be surprised to see her put a big score on the Aussies the next time they play.”
However, the Aussie said the first-time finalists India’s title loss isn’t the end for them as it’s a new journey for the Women in Blue, adding: “It was a disappointing night for them but they'll certainly be back - this is not the end for them, this is just the start.”
He further added, “They'd never played in a Final before and we saw in Melbourne how vital that experience is, it takes a long time to get settled and by the time they did, unfortunately, the game was gone. Playing in front of a crowd like that takes plenty of getting used to so they'll be better for it, and should take a lot of heart from the way they played in Australia.”
Hailing Australia Women’s performance in the final, Lee said Alyssa Healy (75) and Beth Mooney (78*) performance was reminded him of the 2003 men’s World Cup final which also Australia won against India. He also said the failure of getting the momentum for chase cost India the title.
Lee signed off by saying, “Sometimes you can bat a team out of the game in that first half, which Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Damien Martyn did for us in Johannesburg. Scoreboard pressure means so much more in a Final and, as we saw at the MCG, India just couldn't get the momentum needed for the chase.”
(With ICC Inputs)
