🏏ICC Women's T20I WC 2024: Group B - Match 20: EngW vs WIW 🏏 - Page 10

News brief: Bangladesh now run into a much stronger side in England, who are more aggressive than their 2023 version, and are carrying spinners aplenty for this edition. England also have a fully fit team to choose from. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has returned, and also present are Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn and Alice Capsey, with her handy part-time offbreaks. England are likely to go with three frontline spinners for a pitch that aided turn and didn't see much bounce.

Bangladesh were restricted to 119 for 7 by Scotland in the opener, and scoring bigger or quicker against England will be a lot tougher. Bangladesh were the worst fielding side on the opening day, having put down four chances, and they will have to tighten that aspect if they want to think about beating England for the first time in women's T20Is. This is an evening game, yet not as much dew is expected in Sharjah compared to Dubai, which might have been the reason why Pakistan opted to bat in the evening game here on Thursday.

Player to watch: Ecclestone is, without doubt, England's best spinner, but don't take your eyes off legspinner Sarah Glenn. She has been England's second-highest wicket-taker since the end of the 2023 T20 World Cup, with a tally of 26 just behind Ecclestone's 29. But Glenn has gone for much fewer runs per over with an economy rate of 5.27, compared to Ecclestone's 6.25. A handy bat down the order, this will be the third T20 World Cup for Glenn at the age of just 25.

When: Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 6 PM local time, 7.30 PM IST

Where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

What to expect: Another hot day is expected in Sharjah with spin set to take centerstage again. The team winning the toss would ideally want to bat first.

Team News

England

While the Bangladesh slow bowlers will be under the focus in this game, England have a strong spin core themselves, led by Sophie Ecclestone.

Probable XI: Maia Bouchier, Danielle Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Heather Knight (C), Amy Jones (WK), Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn

Bangladesh

Having made a winning start, Bangladesh would see no reason to make changes to their XI.

Probable XI: Murshida Khatun, Shathi Rani, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Taj Nehar, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter

Bangladesh players will give a tough fight to seasoned England players. It will be an interesting match!

2024 World Cup: Today's Matches Details -

Australia Women vs Sri Lanka Women, 5th Match, Group A

Series: ICC Womens T20 World Cup, 2024

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Date & Time: Oct 05, 02:00 PM LOCAL

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Bangladesh Women vs England Women, 6th Match, Group B

Series: ICC Womens T20 World Cup, 2024

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Date & Time: Oct 05, 06:00 PM LOCAL

Team News

England

While the Bangladesh slow bowlers will be under the focus in this game, England have a strong spin core themselves, led by Sophie Ecclestone.

Probable XI: Maia Bouchier, Danielle Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Heather Knight (C), Amy Jones (WK), Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn

Bangladesh

Having made a winning start, Bangladesh would see no reason to make changes to their XI.

Probable XI: Murshida Khatun, Shathi Rani, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Taj Nehar, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter

What to expect: Another hot day is expected in Sharjah with spin set to take centerstage again. The team winning the toss would ideally want to bat first.

Just a top bowling performance might not be enough for the Asian side to cause an upset. They huffed and puffed on their way to 119 against Scotland and against a heavyweight like England, Bangladesh would ideally need more. On the other hand, England would back themselves to get off to a winning start. Acclimatization shouldn't be an issue given they arrived in the UAE for a two-week camp prior to the tournament. They have been backed as one of a few sides that can possibly put an end to Australia's dominance in the competition.

In order to live up to that billing, making an early statement would be vital. Winners in the inaugural edition, England haven't won the tournament since but have always managed to at least reach the last four stage in every edition barring one. Can they top that this time?

'Hopefully, the wicket remains like this', said Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana after Bangladesh's memorable win in the tournament opener against Scotland. Sultana was visibly very emotional after the win, which was Bangladesh's first in the T20 World Cup in a decade. It was a surface that was ideal for her bowlers who could exploit the slow-ish nature to keep Scotland to just 103. Given this is going to be a day game again, Bangladesh would back themselves to deliver a similar performance with the ball against the mighty England batting lineup.

Only one team are yet to get things rolling (read: play their first game) in this edition. They will be up in action against table-toppers Bangladesh today evening. Hello and a warm welcome. It's England v Bangladesh in Sharjah. Australia have completed a thumping win against Sri Lanka a few minutes ago at the very same venue. If that game was anything to go by, lack of bounce and early swing is something that the batters have to be wary about. England are surely one of the contenders, and have a decent mix of youth and experience. Can they get off the mark on the points table, or can Bangladesh spring a surprise? Toss and team details coming up shortly.