🏏ICC Women's T20I WC 2024: Group B - Match 20: EngW vs WIW 🏏 - Page 47

A disparity exists between these two sides, in terms of experience and T20I pedigree, which means England might be looking to swell their NRR, if that opportunity presents itself.

The tournament is approaching its business end and things are heating up. England square off against Scotland today in Sharjah. England have won both their matches so far, namely against South Africa and Bangladesh, and things are shaping up nicely for them. Three teams from Group B are still in contention to qualify for the semi-finals – England, South Africa and West Indies. With Net Run Rate likely to come into play for qualification, England will be eyeing a big win today as their nrr is lower than that of SA and WI. In their last game against the Proteas, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt aced the chase to perfection to take their side to a controlled win. Scotland, on the other hand, have lost all their three games so far and are already eliminated from the competition. They haven’t been able to fire collectively as a unit and that has compounded their problems. These two sides will be facing each other for the first time in T20Is. Can Scotland spring in a surprise and close out their campaign on a high? Or will England keep their winning run intact? Stick around for the toss and team lineups.

Charlie Dean has been tidy so far at this T20 World Cup, picking up three wickets in two games. She caught up with Valkerie Baynes in Dubai recently, and spoke about how she is loving being a part of England's spin gang.

It's toss time. Knight and Kathryn are out in the middle. Knight gives the coin a spin. Heads is the call and heads it is. Scotland will bat first.

New Zealand's eight-wicket win yesterday means that the numbers are 2-1 in favour of the chasing side in day games at Sharjah. With England possibly having an eye on NRR, will they want to chase if they win the toss? Toss in 5.

Kathryn says they are looking forward to getting out there and enjoying their last game. The slow outfields and slow pitches have made it tough to have an expansive game (so far). Adds they are really excited to play against one of the best teams in the world.

England XI: Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Danielle Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell

Scotland XI: Saskia Horley, Sarah Bryce (wk), Kathryn Bryce (capt), Alisa Lister, Megan McColl, Darcey Carter, Lorna Jack-Brown, Katherine Fraser, Rachel Slater, Abtaha Maqsood, Olivia Bell

Heather Knight: We would have batted first as well but not much fussed about bowling first. We have made two changes. We have had five days off, we need to refocus and do our best. First of all, we want to win, if we get an opportunity to improve our nrr, we will see to it.

Pitch Report: A slight bias with respect to the square boundaries - 59m to one side, 63m to the other. 73m hit straight down the ground. There is a bit of grass on the surface but Pommie Mbangwa thinks spin will dominate again. England's spinners have attacked the stumps whenever playing at Sharjah and batters will have to do something innovative to get them off their lines. He is not sure if the ball will turn massively, but he expects a lot of spinners to operate on this surface.