🏏ICC Women's T20I WC 2024: Group B - Match 20: EngW vs WIW 🏏 - Page 5

Today's Matches Details:

South Africa Women vs West Indies Women, 3rd Match, Group B

Series: ICC Womens T20 World Cup, 2024

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Date & Time: Oct 04, 02:00 PM LOCAL

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India Women vs New Zealand Women, 4th Match, Group A

Series: ICC Womens T20 World Cup, 2024

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Date & Time: Oct 04, 06:00 PM LOCAL

It is South Africa versus the West Indies. A side that has made the semi-final (at least) in the last two editions, against an outfit that has not made the final four since 2018. A nation that is itching to savour that title-winning feeling, against a team knowing how that tastes but is in danger of forgetting it. Grab your choice of food and drink and jump on - this promises to be mouth watering!

One cracking knock in the here and now, one stellar spell, one moment of fielding brilliance, and everything could fall into place. Like it did in 2016 for the West Indies, like South Africa would have wanted it to in 2023, and like both would long for it to in 2024, especially with a T20 World Cup campaign waiting to be defined.

1pm February 26, 2023 was a watershed moment for South Africa. It was, after all, the first time a senior side was playing the final of a World Cup. That night, though, ended in heartbreak, which means…South Africa now have to do it all over again. Almost twenty months on, with a new captain and in a different part of the world.

For the West Indies, their Women's T20 World Cup crescendo came all the way back in 2016 when they won the entire thing. Fortunes have dwindled since and consistency has not been their greatest friend. But that is the beauty about World Cups. Everything that has happened in the past can stay in the past.

Bangladesh and Pakistan were happy to bat first yesterday after winning the toss, with the result ultimately vindicating their choice. Will the captain winning the toss want to do something similar today, given the heat and the prospect of the pitch slowing down? Toss in 5.

With England also a part of Group B, this contest could end up being a virtual quarter-final. All that and much more in Vishal Dikshit's preview for October 4 at the Women's T20 World Cup.

The Women's T20 World Cup moves to Dubai today and this is a step into the unknown for all teams involved, not just South Africa and the West Indies. It may make them anxious, slightly suspecting of what the surroundings may hold, but it also opens up endless possibilities - possibilities they hope will dovetail with their immediate goal of two points.

It's toss time. The sun is blazing down, and captains Matthews and Wolvaardt are out in the middle. Wolvaardt gives the coin a flick. Tails is the call but heads it is. South Africa will bowl first. Wolvaardt explains her decision, saying the wicket is fresh and that stats favour chasing at this venue. They are hoping to take it one game at a time and get off to a good start. One extra spinner in the eleven, adds Wolvaardt.

West Indies XI: Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

South Africa XI: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinolo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

Pitch Report: Searingly hot, which is not a huge surprise but there is a slight breeze. Lopsided square boundaries, with a 53m boundary to one side and a 63m boundary to the other. 73m hit straight down the ground. Carlos Brathwaite likes the colour of the grass and thinks that will keep the pitch compact, despite the heat. That grass covering is also probably why Wolvaardt chose to bowl, says Brathwaite.

Tazmin Brits: I want to contribute towards the team. We (Wolvaardt and me) had some good partnerships at the last World Cup and hopefully we can do that again. She is very knowledgeable, plays in a lot of leagues and knows the strengths and weaknesses (of other players). She keeps me calm in a way and that makes it easier for me to contribute.

Raji: "SA has a slight edge here, while WI relies heavily on Matthews. Even though the world boss is back, she might be rusty from not playing enough. Anyway, I'm excited to see Kappie's powerplay wicket or Laura's cover drive!"