🏏ICC Women's T20I WC 2024: Group B - Match 20: EngW vs WIW 🏏 - Page 21

Batters to watch(Recent stats)

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, ENG-W

7 M • 236 Runs • 33.71 Avg • 138.82 SR

Alice Capsey, ENG-W

8 M • 170 Runs • 28.33 Avg • 106.25 SR

Laura Wolvaardt, SA-W

9 M • 373 Runs • 46.63 Avg • 133.69 SR

Tazmin Brits, SA-W

10 M • 304 Runs • 38 Avg • 113.01 SR

Bowlers to watch(Recent stats)

Sophie Ecclestone, ENG-W

8 M • 12 Wkts • 5.96 Econ • 13.91 SR

Sarah Glenn, ENG-W

7 M • 11 Wkts • 4.56 Econ • 12.9 SR

Tumi Sekhukhune, SA-W

6 M • 9 Wkts • 8.17 Econ • 12 SR

Nonkululeko Mlaba, SA-W

7 M • 7 Wkts • 8.29 Econ • 18 SR

It's taken a few days for teams to acclimatise themselves to the prevailing weather and playing conditions in the UAE in the ongoing T20 World Cup, but it would be a surprise if they still find themselves without adequate answers on how to work their way around the natural challenges. It's hot and boundaries aren't coming easy on the slow and low pitches of Sharjah and Dubai. A lot of running would be expected from the batters and the fielders.

To the comfort of England and South Africa, they've both registered a win each before coming face to face with each other. As the early trends stand, both teams would favour themselves to make it to the semifinals. A win on Monday would most certainly leave them in a comfortable position to believe they can finish as table-toppers from the group.

Unlike South Africa, who outplayed West Indies in all departments to secure a thumping win in their opening encounter, England were pushed slightly by Bangladesh before they could get off to a winning start. Despite boasting of a superior team on paper, they would hope for a better showing, especially from their experienced middle order.

South Africa don't provide as stiff a challenge with their slower bowlers through the middle overs, but their pace attack offers ample strength even on the slow pitches to compensate for that weakness. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits' stellar start to the campaign bodes well, but they too would hope for their middle order to be able to stand up to the challenges of the conditions when the opportunity presents itself.

When: England vs South Africa, Match 9, Monday, October 7, 2024, 6:00 PM Local Time

Where:Sharjah Cricket Stadium

What to expect: England have a fair bit of experience of playing on the Sharjah pitch, which has been the lower and slower of the two. However, South Africa, who are coming into the contest after a two-day break would hope to have prepared themselves well for the challenge. It'll be hot, boundaries will be hard to come by and run making will be difficult.

What they said:

I thought me and Boosh (Maia Bouchier) ran really well at the start and everyone else that came in we thought we all ran really well which we said we will need to do. The conditions pretty obviously were a bit slow and low. But I think it is just important to hit the pockets and just have the intent and bravery and it's going to be really important that we don't lose that. I was going to bat myself in and just keep playing my shots - Danni Wyatt-Hodge, following England's win over Bangladesh

(Batting is) Not that easy (here), one of the harder knocks I've had physically, especially fielding first at 2 PM and then coming in to bat after that was definitely not easy - Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain following her half-century against Bangladesh

October 7 at the T20 World Cup: Spinners in focus in 2023 semi-final rematch

South Africa and England are coming off convincing wins in their tournament openers

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match

Scenario 1

England Women win the toss and opt to bat first

PP Score: 40-50

ENG-W: 130-140

England Women win the match

Scenario 2

South Africa Women win the toss and opt to bat first

PP Score: 30-40

SA-W: 120-130

Probable Best Batter: Laura Wolvaardt

South Africa Women's skipper Laura Wolvaardt could be the probable best batter in the upcoming game against England Women. The opening batter had a great start to the World Cup as she smashed a match-winning 59* in their tournament opener against West Indies Women. Wolvaardt stitched an unbeaten 119-run partnership with Tazmin Brits to help her side secure a comfortable 10-wicket victory. The 25-year-old will be hoping to do the same in the upcoming game.

Probable Best Bowler: Linsey Smith

England Women's spinner Linsey Smith could be the best bowler in his side’s forthcoming game against the Proteas. The left-arm spinner had a good outing with the ball in the side's first game against the Bangladesh Women. In her quota of four overs, she scalped two wickets and was conceded just 11 runs. Smith will play a crucial role in her side's next game.

Eng will beat Proteas

Tonight's game at Sharjah could be a massive game in the context of this group. England and South Africa are heavy favourites to progress from this group - both started on a good note by defeating their opponents convincingly under different conditions. England started their campaign at this venue and their playing XI featured 4 spinners as they beat Bangladesh by 21 runs. On the other hand, South Africa crushed West Indies by 10 wickets in their opening encounter in Dubai. The pitch at Sharjah has been very slow and low, the outfield is sluggish and runs do come at a premium here. The winner of tonight's game will go a long way in confirming a place in the semi-finals. Lot to play for as we await the toss and team sheets..

It is England versus South Africa. The winners of the inaugural edition against the runners-up of the most recent iteration. A rivalry that may paint lopsided numbers but is soaked in tradition and now has a new lease of life, with eyes not just on bragging rights but on the ultimate prize. Strap yourselves in - this promises to be a classic!