ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Match 17 & 18, Group A, Preview – Australia and New Zealand aim for a semi-final berth in a must-win clash

New Zealand registered a 17-run victory in their previous game despite putting up a modest total of 91 runs on the board.

Published - 01 Mar 2020, 14:29 IST | Updated - 01 Mar 2020, 14:29 IST

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The Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 is set to dispense two another exciting matches for fans. In the first encounter of the day, Sri Lanka Women and Bangladesh are set to lock horns in Match 17 of the tournament. Both sides are struggling in the bottom half of the Group A points table after failing to clinch a victory so far in the tournament.

In their previous match against New Zealand Women, Bangladesh Women suffered a thumping 17-run defeat after failing to hunt down a modest total of 91 runs. After decimating the Kiwi batting force at 91 runs, the Tigresses suffered a batting debacle as none of their batswomen was able to stitch a prolonged partnership in the middle.

Nigar Sultana was the solitary batter who ticked the 20-run mark as Bangladesh Women amassed only 74 runs on the board. Post a forgettable performance in their previous match, Bangladesh Women will be eager to post a triumph in their last match of the tournament.

Similarly, Sri Lanka Women will also be looking to register their maiden win of the tournament after suffering three consecutive defeats. In their previous match against India Women, the Islanders were outclassed by the Women in Blue in all three departments. Apart from skipper Chamari Atapattu, no Sri Lankan player was able to deliver robust performance for heri side. Sri Lanka Women will also be aiming to bid adieu to the tournament on a positive note by defeating Bangladesh.

Team Combination

Bangladesh Women

Murshida Khatun, who has gathered three 30+ scores in her last five matches for Bangladesh Women, will be heading their batting attack along with Nigar Sultana and Fargana Hoque. Considering their previous match’s heroics, Bangladesh Women will be banking on their bowling force to fire off yet again. Ritu Moni wreaked havoc on the Kiwi batsmen in her previous match as she scalped four wickets while conceding 18 runs in her spell. She was well assisted by skipper Salma Khatun, who plucked three wickets and gave away only seven runs.

Probable XI: Shamima Sultana (WK), Murshida Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana, Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Panna Ghosh, Salma Khatun (C), Jahanara Alam, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter/Sobhana Mostary

Sri Lanka Women

Skipper Atapattu will be heading Sri Lanka in both the departments. She emerged as the lone warrior for Sri Lanka against India Women after scoring a 33-run knock. She has been the talisman for the Islanders so far in the tournament. Inconsistent bowling performances has been a concern for Sri Lanka in this tournament. Udeshika Prabodhani and Shashikala Siriwardene will be steering their bowling force along with skipper Atapattu. Harshitha Madavi is another prospect who can contribute with the willow on her day.

Probable XI: Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Umesha Thimashini, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Nilakshi de Silva, Ama Kanchana, Shashikala Siriwardene, Harshitha Madavi, Kavisha Dilhari, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani.

Focus will be on

Murshida Khatun (Bangladesh Women)

Murshida Khatun will be at the helm of Bangladesh Women’s batting force. The 20-year-old has three 30+ scores in her last five matches for Bangladesh and she will be aiming to amass first half-century of her career. In a career spanning over 9 T20Is, the left-handed batswoman has scored 151 runs at an average of almost 20. She will be hoping to propel her side with a flying start along with Ayasha Rahman and Ritu Moni.

Chamar Atapattu (Sri Lanka Women)

Chamari Atapattu’s form and experience will play a crucial role in concealing Sri Lanka’s weaknesses. The 30-year-old has played 83 T20Is where she has scalped 26 wickets along with gathering 1616 runs for her national side. The all-rounder has been performing consistently since her last four matches in both the departments. She has smashed two half-centuries in her previous four matches and has also plucked five wickets.

Head to Head

Played – 7 | Won by Bangladesh Women – 4 | Won by Sri Lanka Women – 3 | Tied – 0 | No result – 0

Stat Attack

3 – Bangladesh Women’s Rumana Ahmed is three wickets away from scalping 60 wickets in T20 Internationals.

1,2 – Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Atapattu has a ton and two half-centuries under her belt in a career spanning over 84 T20Is.

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings: 11:00 am (local), 5:30 am (IST)

The second encounter of the day will be played between two robust sides– Australia Women and New Zealand. It is anticipated to be an enthralling game as both the sides will be contesting for the number two spot of the Group A points table. Both sides have gathered four points from three games and only the net run rate is the difference between Australia and New Zealand.

The Aussie Women decimated Bangladesh in their previous match at Manuka Oval. After amassing a mammoth total of 189 runs, Meg Lanning and Co restricted Bangladesh Women at a modest total of 103 runs. Both openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney smashed 83 and 81 runs respectively to put Australia Women in the driving seat. A three-wicket haul by Megan Schutt made things easier for Australia Women as they registered a comprehensive 86-run victory in their T20 World Cup heist.

New Zealand, on the other hand, registered a 17-run victory in their previous game despite putting up a modest total of 91 runs on the board. A defeat was looming over the Kiwi side before Leigh Kasperek and Hayley Jensen stepped up their game and scalped three-wicket hauls each to decimate Bangladesh Women’s batting force. New Zealand will be aiming to topple Australia from the second position by registering a victory in this match.

Team Combination

Australia Women

Australia Women are equipped with many batting stalwarts who are competent in changing the course of the match single-handedly. A robust top-order comprising Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner and skipper Meg Lanning. The batting force of Aussies has delivered impressive performances so far in the mega-event.

Despite not being in great form, Ellyse Perry can also emerge as a vital cog for Meg Lanning and Co. The bowling force of Australia Women will be steered by the likes of Jess Jonassen and Megan Schutt, who have delivered match-winning performances this season.

Probable XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardener, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Annabel Sutherland, Delissa Kimmince, Molly Strano/Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt

New Zealand

New Zealand Women’s forte will be their batting force comprising the likes of Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest and Suzie Bates. Despite suffering a batting fiasco in their previous matcha against Bangladesh Women, the Kiwi side has the potential to retaliate and deliver an impressive batting performance against Australia. Leigh Kasperek and Hayley Jensen, who scalped three wickets each to thrash Bangladesh batting force, will be aiming to put up a similar performance.

Probable XI: Sophie Devine (C), Rachel Priest (WK), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Jansen, Holly Huddleston, Lea Tahuhu, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr.

Focus will be on

Alyssa Healy (Australia Women)

Healy has amassed two half-centuries in her previous five matches for Australia Women. She will be aiming to provide her side with another blistering start. The right-hander has two tons and 11 half-centuries under her belt while donning the Australia jersey in 109 T20Is.

Sophie Devine (New Zealand Women)

Batting all-rounder and Kiwi Women’s skipper Sophie Devine is the player who holds the potential to change the course of the match with her forte. Devine’s all-round abilities. She single-handedly stered New Zealand to the victory by smashing an unbeaten 75-run knock against Sri Lanka Women. In a career spanning over 90 T20Is, she has amassed 2353 runs along with scalping 87 wickets.