ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: Match 18, Group A, Australia vs New Zealand: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The 18th match of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be played between Australia and New Zealand at the Junction Oval in Melbourne

The match starts at 03:00 PM local time (4:00 AM GMT) (9:30 PM IST). This match will be live on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 2 HD. Live Streaming will be available on Hotstar.

Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

Australia and New Zealand will lock horns in what is virtual quarter-final to make it to the knockouts of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup down under. Very few must have felt that the tournament favourites and the defending champions Australia will be fighting to stay in the competition. Their loss to India in the World Cup opener has cost them badly and a blip against the White Ferns will cost them the trophy as well.

India have already sealed the top spot in group A and it will be interesting to see who will be the second semi-finalist. Both the sides have lost to India which are also their only defeats in the tournament thus far. Australia, since then, have defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh rather comfortably while the White Ferns too have done the same. Rather they defended a measly 91 against Bangladesh to stay alive in the tournament.

Weather Report

The forecast is not encouraging in Melbourne on Monday. It is expected to rain in the lead up to the game. While it will continue to be cloudy at 3 PM when the match will start, there is no chance of heavens opening up. The temperature will hover around 17-18 Degrees Celsius during the match according to AccuWeather.

Pitch Report

The surface at the Junction Oval has been on the slower side. 133 runs posted by India against New Zealand is the highest total at the venue. The White Ferns will have the advantage of playing two games here. The team winning the toss should look to bat first in this high pressure encounter even as the spinners are expected to dominate the proceedings.

Average first innings score: 112 (In three T20Is played at the venue in this tournament)

Record of the chasing teams: Won – 1; Lost – 2

Injury & Availability News

Ellyse Perry is doubtful for this crunch game due to sore hip. The decision on her inclusion in the playing XI will be taken in the morning of the match.

Sophie Molineux’s availability is still uncertain. Even she will be assessed ahead of the game.

Probable Playing XIs

Australia Women

Alyssa Healy (WK), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry/Delissa Kimmince, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt.

Bench – Ellyse Perry/Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Erin Burns, Molly Strano

New Zealand Women

Sophie Devine (C), Rachel Priest (WK), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Hayley Jansen, Katey Martin, Amelia Kerr, Anna Peterson, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair.

Bench – Katie Perkins, Holly Huddleston, Lauren Down, Jess Kerr.

Top Picks

With Ellyse Perry in doubt for this match, Australia’s Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning become the top picks. The Aussie wicket-keeper has found form at the perfect time and she will be keen to make an impact in the must-win game. Rachel Haynes is also a good option to have who will score runs in case of a top-order collapse. Jonassen and Wareham should be picked in Dream11 Fantasy team given New Zealand’s vulnerability against left-arm spin.

For the White Ferns, Sophie Devine is a must pick and can be made captain as well. Suzie Bates has scored 897 runs against Australia in 36 innings which makes her a crucial pick in Dream11 Fantasy. Australia’s vulnerability against the leg-spin makes Amelia Kerr important.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Alyssa Healy, Sophie Devine, Meg Lanning

Vice-Captain – Beth Mooney, Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Alyssa Healy (VC)

Batters – Suzie Bates, Meg Lanning, Rachel Haynes

All-Rounders- Sophie Devine (C), Amelia Kerr, Hayley Jansen, Jess Jonassen

Bowlers-  Lea Tahuhu, Georgia Wareham, Nicola Carey

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Rachel Priest

Batters – Maddy Green, Beth Mooney (VC), Ashleigh Gardner, Rachel Haynes

All-Rounders- Sophie Devine (C), Amelia Kerr, Jess Jonassen

Bowlers- Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Megan Schutt

Expert Advice

Pack your teams with the spinners, especially left-arm spinners from Australia and leg-spinners from New Zealand given the vulnerabilities of both the sides.

Rachel Priest average only around 12 against Australia in T20Is in 23 innings. So it would be wise to not pick her in your Dream11 Fantasy team.

Probable Winners:

Team winning the toss will have an advantage in the game.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.