Perry expecting improved India

Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry believes India will come into their knockout semi-final on Thursday with plenty of momentum after beating New Zealand in their must-win clash last Saturday.

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India toppled the White Ferns in Derby in what was effectively an elimination quarter-final to advance to the knockout stage and set up a re-match with the Aussies, who comprehensively beat them in the group stage.

Australia were calculated in their annihilation of India in Bristol last week, getting home in a canter with 29 balls to spare, despite a century from Punam Raut.

"Given that they've played well (against New Zealand) they'll come in with a bit of momentum and I expect them to be really tough," Perry said.

"They probably left a few things unattended against us, but I know they’re really dangerous. They’ve got a great couple of batters and dangerous bowlers. They’ll be really good.

"We maybe didn’t come up against them at their strongest on the day.

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"I’m sure they’ll be really keen to rectify that. It’s a great test for us and we are really looking forward to it."

Perry has been in remarkable form in the Women’s World Cup and her fifth consecutive half-century saw Australia to victory in their final group match against South Africa on Saturday.

But an elusive maiden ODI ton has continued to evade her, not that it concerns the allrounder.

"It’s got no consequence for me at the minute," she said.

"We’ve got an important match in the semi-final and I think that all of us are really keen to contribute and win that game and give us a chance to play in the final.

"Whatever role I play is important. If that means that I need to go on and score big then ... I’d like to do that. But (a maiden century) is no consequence at the moment."

The 26-year-old has also taken nine wickets in the tournament and believes her side’s strengths with the ball is what saw them home against South Africa, despite a shaky start.

"I think we were always confident provided we bowled well, which we did reasonably well," she said.

"I don’t think we started especially well with the ball but we pegged back momentum and took wickets when it really counted."

India will be comfortable at the County Ground in Derby for Thursday's semi-final having played a tournament-high four group matches at the venue, while Australia are yet to feature there after seven games.

The winner in Derby will take on the victor from Tuesday's semi-final between England and South Africa in the tournament decider at Lord’s on Sunday.