Fast bowling is here to stay in women's cricket, despite the rise of the spinners who have dominated proceedings at this year's World Cup in England.
Five of the top six wicket-takers in the pool stage of the tournament have been slow bowlers, while the most prolific strike weapons of each semi-final team – England, Australia, India and South Africa – have been spinners.
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But it's not a changing of the guard, according to Australian leg-spinner Kristen Beams, whose 11 wickets helped Australia into Thursday's sudden-death semi-final against India in Derby.
In Australia's seven pool matches, spin bowlers claimed 30 wickets while pace and seam was responsible for 26, along with seven runouts.
The Aussies have constantly picked three front-line spin bowlers throughout the tournament, leaving the pace-bowling load to all-rounder Ellyse Perry and inswinger Megan Schutt, who took the most wickets of all comers at the 2013 World Cup.
Beams said conditions in England had favoured the slower bowlers.
"Usually over here there's a little bit more in it for the quicks, but it has probably suited the spinners a little bit better," Beams said.
"I certainly don't think it's the way to go; we love seeing people come in and bowl quick and I love seeing bouncers from Ellyse Perry, so I don't think spin is taking over the world just yet.
"It's really nice to see someone run in and bang it into the wicket and bowl short when we need her to. [Perry's] a big game player, and I'm sure we will see that again this week."
Perry and Schutt have managed nine wickets apiece throughout the tournament, and have another significant role to play against an Indian batting line-up noted for its proficiency against the turning ball.
Beams, left-arm orthodox bowler Jess Jonassen (nine) and right-arm off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner (seven) have combined for 27 wickets at this World Cup, but only five of them have come in the last two matches.
NSW speedsters Sarah Aley and Belinda Vakarewa are part of the touring squad but have only played a game apiece, much earlier in the tournament.
"It's nice to see so many spinners in the side, there are a lot in this group, and JJ [Jonassen] over a long period of time has been a strong performer for this team. For the rest of us having to come in and chip in around her has been really nice; I think Ash Gardner has been a real standout," Beams said.
"On different days against different opposition, three paceys would be just as effective as well. At the moment we've all been lucky. For me personally, it's been like holding on for dear life for that spot in the side and I'll keep trying to hold on to it; I think our paceys can come in and do the job."
The winner of Australia v India on Thursday will play the victor of the overnight semi-final between England and South Africa at Lord's on Sunday.
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