Unsung Bolton happy with World Cup form

Opener Nicole Bolton says she's happy to keep doing the hard yards against the new ball and let batting stars Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry grab the headlines.

Unheralded opener Nicole Bolton insists she's happy to keep doing the hard yards and allow batting superstars Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry grab the headlines.

Lanning and Perry are both averaging over a hundred coming in at three and four respectively during the Women's World Cup with the tournament now at the knock-out stages.

But the role of Bolton has been crucial in Australia's impressive run to the semi-finals where they will play India on Thursday, after beating South Africa by 59 runs on Saturday.

The West Australian has scored 337 runs at 56.16 in seven innings that have laid the foundations for six wins in seven matches for the reigning champions.

Bolton has been a regular member of the side since 2014 when she burst onto the international scene with a century on debut against England at the MCG.

In her 37 ODIs, the 28-year-old has three centuries and nine 50s to her name and developed a strong bond with young opening partner Beth Mooney, who she shared a 114-run stand with against the Women Proteas on Saturday.

That partnership followed a first-wicket tournament-high 171-the pair put on against the West Indies last month and Bolton said it demonstrated the strength in depth of the Australia batting line-up.

"Our batting group is really developing and we don't rely on just one player," Bolton said.

"It's great to have someone like Meg who can come back into the fold (after injury) she's such a great player but we are starting to take a bit more responsibility at the top.

"Then you have Ellyse coming in and getting the job done."

Bolton believes the left-handed opening pair compliment one another's game well and is confident of another strong showing against India.

"Although we are both left-handers we hit the balls to different parts of the ground, which can make it difficult for bowlers to find the right length," she said.

"We work with each well. When one of us is working through a patch the other is going well and then the roles tend to change.

"It's really good to see our hard work paying off."

With England topping the eight-team table, Australia moved from the Bristol base that has been home for the duration of the tournament and north to Derby.

India have played four of their seven matches at the venue with Australia making their first trip to the East Midlands and Bolton believes that gives their opponents a slight advantage.

"They'll be familar with the conditions and it's cut-throat stage now, we can't be off our game," she said.


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Source: AAP



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