Australia's world cup confidence on the up

Opener Beth Mooney says Australia's confidence is growing, with the women's Big Bash League helping in their World Cup cricket defence.

Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney says Australia's confidence is growing at the World Cup in part thanks to the WBBL. (AAP)

Australian opener Beth Mooney says the success of the women's Big Bash League has helped set her team up to defend their women's cricket World Cup title.

Australia are on target for a seventh trophy after finishing second behind England in the round robin matches, but must overcome India in the semi-final in Derby on Thursday.

England take on fourth-placed South Africa for a spot in Saturday's title decider at Lord's.

Mooney said the high standard of the domestic Twenty20 competition, which attracted many of the world's best female cricketers, had boosted the team's confidence.

"The women's BBL has really helped because back home we play against some world class players that we've seen over here in the World Cup so that means you can take a lot confidence into the tournament knowing that you've played well against the best in the world," said Mooney, who plays for the Brisbane Heat.

The 23-year-old continued her run of impressive form in their last match against South Africa on Saturday, adding 53 runs to a century partnership with fellow opener Nicole Bolton (79).

Mooney said that prior to the tournament she hadn't spent much time at the crease with Bolton but felt the two left-handers complemented each other well.

"We're quite traditional players but completely different in the sense of where we hit the ball," said Mooney.

"She keeps me quite calm when I'm panic stations and can't get the ball off the square but it's even better watching the calibre of player she is."

Mooney's renaissance as an opener came through the realisation she probably wouldn't topple Alyssa Healy as the first-choice wicket-keeper.

"A couple of years ago I decided the wicket-keeping wasn't going to get me in the team and I had to do something different with my batting.

"It's been nice to put a few good performances on the board."

Australia crushed India by eight wickets, chasing down a total of 225 within 45 overs, when the two teams met earlier in the week.

But Mooney said India had the talent to throw up a big challenge.

"Sometimes they can take the game on and have some really match-winning players so we'll worry about ourselves rather than what they're doing.

"I definitely think the momentum's building nicely toward the semi-final and everyone's in a good place."


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Source: AAP



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