Hamilton relishing key role for Aussies at T20 World Cup

It's been something of a meteoric rise for 20-year-old left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton.

Having been a notable inclusion for Australia's ICC Women's T20 World Cup squad, Hamilton has had a chance to repay selectors' faith in their last three games, taking the new ball and producing tight bowling in pivotal contests that helped seal her side's spot in the knockout phase.

"It's been really fun," Hamilton told cricket.com.au at The Oval on Monday.

"(It's) really exciting to run out there and take the first over."

The Queenslander looks and feels right at home playing alongside some of the highest profile cricketers in the world; yet to show any signs of being overawed by the occasion.

Her greatest test so far came in Australia's last match against a desperate India side, in front of a parochial and noisy Lord's crowd, against a fearsome top order. And similar to her other two World Cup appearances, Hamilton proved hard to put away - having now kept her bowling economy under six runs per over in three consecutive fixtures.

"Personally, I took heaps of confidence (out of the India game)," she continued.

"Everyone feels nervous, and you always have those moments, but running out, singing the anthem in front of so many people (at Lord's) and knowing how much it means to everyone, you always have those couple of nerves, but I think once you get that first over under underway you settle into the game."

Hamilton will be hoping she has done enough to demand selection in Australia's must-win showdown with the West Indies, where opposing captain Hayley Matthews has indicated her side will play with a nothing-to-lose mentality.

"Knowing that the team did really well ... the semi-finals are an even bigger occasion, so knowing that I've got that under my belt, and with a massive crowd and against a really strong Indian team, gives me lots of confidence," she added.

"It's a fast turnaround, but I think it's really good in T20 cricket to have that momentum, we're all ready to go and can't wait. The quality of cricket that we've been playing recently ... you want that leading into a semi."

If Hamilton is picked in Australia's semi-final XI, it will mark her first ever match at The Oval in London. But given she continues rising to the occasion in unfamiliar scenarios, there is every confidence she will handle whatever challenges come against the West Indies.

"I haven't played at The Oval before ... I'm glad I came down (on match eve) just to have a look at the facilities and get used to it and see how fast the outfield is. The conditions can change a lot, so we just have to adapt to them as fast as we can and play our style of cricket.

"I think (West Indies) have nothing to lose in the semi, so they'll come out hard and they're a great opposition."

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