India batting hero Harmanpreet Kaur has credited the experience of playing for Sydney Thunder in the WBBL for her match-winning innings against Australia.
Kaur stunned the world champions with a brilliant 171 not out as India knocked the tournament favourites out of the Women's Cricket World Cup after a 36-run win in Derby.
The 28-year-old smashed 20 fours and seven sixes as her side chalked up an imposing total of 4-281 from a rain shortened 42 overs.
"I always love to play against Australia because they are a very good side and when you score against a good side it'll always give you confidence," Kaur said.
"In the WBBL I enjoyed because I had a really good team.
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"They always gave me good confidence and my captain (Alex) Blackwell, she's a very motivated girl and she always appreciated my innings.
"It was great for for me to play for the Thunders."
Kaur is yet to re-sign with the Thunder for the coming season but Blackwell is hopeful she will re-commit after ending the veteran Australian's hopes of a third World Cup win.
"I've seen her bat like that before but not for that long and she hit the ball incredibly well today," Blackwell said.
"We've seen a couple of big innings this World Cup but that's probably the best one yet given the what was on the line; a place in the final.
"She can be very proud to get her team in to that match against England.
"Once I land back in Sydney I'm sure we'll have to start talking about contracts and that sort of thing.
"She was a pleasure to have in the Sydney Thunder in WBBL02 and I just hope to see her in the WBBL full stop.
"In the Sydney Thunder would be great."
