ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Match 17 & 18, Group A, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

There’s a lot to play for in Group A in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Hosts Australia and New Zealand would be locking horns in their respective last league games. The two teams would be facing off in the second of Monday’s doubleheader at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. The Aussies recently played three games in a T20I tri-series and would be pretty much aware of the playing conditions.

They are placed second and a victory would take them through to the semis. However, if they lose then New Zealand and India would be the two teams from Group A to make the next round. In the other match at the same venue, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would be locking horns. Both teams have been knocked out after three defeats and would only be playing for pride in their last matches.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Junction Oval has been an excellent one for batting of late. Scores in excess of 170 have also been produced. The average score in the last five T20Is was around the 145 mark. Batting second should be the way forward for all the teams. The playing conditions would be cloudy with the temperature around the 17- and 18-degrees Celsius mark. The humidity won’t be high either.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Match 17, Group A

Team Combination

Sri Lanka

The Lankan batting has depended heavily on Chamari Athapaththu, who has scored 124 runs at an average of 41.33, striking at 134.78. Madhavi, Dilhari, Sanjeewani and Thimashini have a few scores in the 20s, but they haven’t made much of an impact. In bowling, Udeshika Prabodhani has been the standout with three wickets at an economy of 3.83. Shashikala Siriwardene also has three wickets.

Probable XI

Umesha Thimashini, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshita Madhavi, Hansima Karunaratne, Hasini Perera, Shashikala Siriwardene, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Sathya Sandeepani, Udeshika Probodhani

Bangladesh

The Tigresses’ batters have struggled thus far. Apart from Rumana Ahmed, none of the batters have strike-rates in the 100s. Nigar Sultana is their leading run-scorer with 75 runs at an average of 25. Murshida Khatun and Fargana Hoque have a couple of scores in the 30s. Skipper Salma Khatun is their top wicket-taker with six scalps. Moni has four wickets to her name with a four-wicket haul.

Probable XI

Murshida Khatun, Ayasha Rahman, Ritu Moni, Nigar Sultana (wk), Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Jahanara Alam , Salma Khatun, Panna Ghosh

Probable Top Performers

Chamari Athapaththu– Sri Lanka| Murshida Khatun – Bangladesh

Broadcast Details

TV: Star Sports

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 05:30 IST; 11:00 local; 12:00 GMT

The prediction is for Sri Lanka to win the match.

Australia vs New Zealand, Match 18, Group A

Team Combination

Australia

The Aussie batters are in impressive form. Alyssa Healy has returned to form, scoring 134 runs with a top score of 83. Beth Mooney has 93 runs with a highest score of 81*. Even the likes of Gardener, Lanning and Haynes are also in good rhythm. The bowlers have put forth a collective effort. Jess Jonassen has five wickets while Nicola Carey, Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry have chipped in as well.

Probable XI

Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardener, Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt

New Zealand

Sophie Devine has led the charge for the Black Caps in the batting department. She has 101 runs with a top score of an unbeaten 75. The rest of the batters have chipped in with bits and pieces. The Kiwis would be looking for a better batting show after Bangladesh restricted them to under 100. Hayley Jensen is their top wicket-taker with support from spinners Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek.

Probable XI

Sophie Devine (C), Rachael Priest (wk), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen, Katey Martin, Amelia Kerr, Anna Peterson, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair

Probable Top Performers

Alyssa Healy– Australia| Sophie Devine – New Zealand

Broadcast Details

TV: Star Sports

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 09:30 IST; 15:00 local; 04:00 GMT

The prediction is for Australia to win the match.