Mithali Raj, one of the senior batsmen in the Indian women's team, has demanded an improved batting performance during the upcoming World Cup in Australia. India have lost their previous nine completed ODIs - defeated 4-0 by England and going down 5-0 to Australia - in which the batsmen struggled to put up competitive scores.
"A score of 200-plus is a bare minimum. Gone are the days in women's cricket where a team scored 170 and defended it," Mithali was quoted as saying in the Times of India. "Our openers haven't done well and that means the middle order was exposed to the new ball almost every time. That was the problem in Australia and England."
She was pleased with the team's effort during training, when they scored in excess of 200 in both their practice games.The team, she said, had also prepared for faster pitches by batting against bowling machines at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground.
Though India had a demoralising tour of Australia late last year, Mithali was confident of a better show next month. "It's the end of the season and the wickets won't be too bouncy. If anything they will keep low."
India were runners-up in the previous edition in South Africa in 2005, losing in the final to Australia. They are placed in Group A with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England, and will face Pakistan in the tournament opener at the Bradman Oval in Bowral on March 7.
"A score of 200-plus is a bare minimum. Gone are the days in women's cricket where a team scored 170 and defended it," Mithali was quoted as saying in the Times of India. "Our openers haven't done well and that means the middle order was exposed to the new ball almost every time. That was the problem in Australia and England."
She was pleased with the team's effort during training, when they scored in excess of 200 in both their practice games.The team, she said, had also prepared for faster pitches by batting against bowling machines at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground.
Though India had a demoralising tour of Australia late last year, Mithali was confident of a better show next month. "It's the end of the season and the wickets won't be too bouncy. If anything they will keep low."
India were runners-up in the previous edition in South Africa in 2005, losing in the final to Australia. They are placed in Group A with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England, and will face Pakistan in the tournament opener at the Bradman Oval in Bowral on March 7.
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