ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Match 2 & 3, Group A & B, Preview – Dominant West Indies and New Zealand line up against underdogs Thailand and Sri Lanka

After the enthralling first match of the tournament, Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 continues its journey with two yet another interesting matches for the audience to witness. The second match of the tournament will be played between Thailand Women and West Indies Women at Perth on Saturday.

Thailand Women will be exploring unchartered territory as they will be aiming to make themselves noticed on the grand stage by causing an upset. After defeating Papua New Guinea in the semi-final of the Qualifier, Thailand Women eventually lost against Bangladesh in the final. However, their hopes of proving their mettle on the international stage were unfazed as Thailand qualified for the T20 World Cup despite losing the final against Bangladesh.

Despite experience being a key aspect that Thailand Women will be missing in the World Cup, their team is bolstered with many young prospects trying to dazzle on the big stage. The ‘ICC Emerging Player of the Year’ award recipient, Chanida Sutthiruang will be aiming to emerge as Thailand Women’s talisman.

Apart from being a wicket-taking bowler, she can also stitch crucial partnerships in the middle for her side. Thailand are equipped with many key cogs that will be hoping to topple the West Indies squad and start their T20 World Cup campaign by causing an upset.

West Indies, on the other hand, will be aiming to flag off their World Cup campaign on a high. Despite losing their most-recent series against India 0-5, the West Indies Women have the potential to steamroll Thailand. Lee-Ann Kirby will be bracing the field after almost 12 years and the Women in Maroon, who were the hosts of the previous edition of T20 World Cup, are expected to put up a dominant show against a relatively inexperienced Thailand.

West Indies are strengthened by many power-hitting all-rounders in their arsenal including Deandra Dotting, who will be marking her return post her injury. The Stafanie Taylor-led side has five-allrounder– something which will be a great addition to increase their batting and bowling depth.

Team Combination

Thailand Women

Thailand Women are a mix of youth and experience. Nattakan Chantam, who has smashed two half-centuries in her previous five games, will be steering their batting force. Another Thailand Women’s player to watch out for is Chanida Sutthiruang, who has the calibre of single-handedly turn the match due to her all-round abilities. In the previous match against New Zealand Women, she scalped two wickets and stitched a 36-run knock to leave an impact in the game.

Predicted XI: Nattakan Chantam, Naruemol Chaiwai, Nattaya Boochatham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (WK), Sornnarin Tippoch (C), Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Soraya Lateh, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Wongpaka Liengprasert.

West Indies Women

West Indies Women will be banking on their depth in both the department. Bolstered by five all-rounders in their squad, the Women in Maroon will be led by skipper Stafanie Taylor in the batting department, who smashed two brilliant knocks (79 and 94) against the series against India Women. Her ability to scalp wickets as well will serve as an added advantage for the West Indies side. All-rounder Deandra Dottin is another all-rounder who can change the course of the match on her own. Besides Dottin, many bowling stalwarts like Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell and Lee-Ann Kirby will be making a return to the side.

Predicted XI: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Stafanie Taylor (C), Chedean Nation, Lee-Ann Kirby, Chinelle Henry, Britney Cooper, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed

Focus will be on

Nattakan Chantam (Thailand Women)

Apart from the much-talked Chanida, Nattakan Chantam will also aim to lead Thailand‘s batting force. The right-handed batswoman has the potential to find gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking. She could open the batting with either Nattaya Boochatham or Naruemol Chaiwai.

In 34 T20Is, Chantam has amassed 603 runs including two half-centuries at an average of 22.33. Despite failing in the last two games against New Zealand and India A, the 24-year-old has the potential to retaliate and put up an impressive show against West Indies.

Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women)

Stafanie Taylor will undoubtedly be a vital cog for the Women in Maroon ahead of the match. Having a vast experience under her belt, the 28-year-old has played 100 T20Is and has amassed 2900 runs along with scalping 84 wickets. Her presence in the side will be an added advantage for West Indies Women throughout the T20 World Cup 2020.

Head to Head

Thailand Women vs West Indies Women:

Played – 0 | Won by Thailand Women – 0 | Won by West Indies Women – 0 | Tied – 0 | No result – 0

Stat Attack

603- Nattakan Chantam has gathered 603 runs so far in her T20I career including two half-centuries.

100- West Indies Women’s Stafanie Taylor has the experience of playing 100 T20Is under her belt.

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings: 03:00 am (local), 12:30 pm (IST)

The second encounter of the day will be played between New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women at the same venue. New Zealand Women will undoubtedly look to deliver a robust performance against Sri Lanka, especially considering their on-paper strength. The Kiwi Women are equipped with many world-class players in their inventory.

Be it the duo of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates steering their batting force or the duo of Leigh Kasperek and Amelia Kerr toppling the opposition with their lethal spells– New Zealand Women are touted to be the favourites to clinch this encounter and flag off their World Cup campaign on a high note.

Sri Lanka Women, on the other hand, will be expecting to change their fortunes and put up a gritty performance against a strong New Zealand side. Chamari Atapattu, the skipper will be aiming to lead her side from the front along with other experienced players like Shashikala Siriwardene, Nilakshi de Silva and Hasini Perera.

After suffering from a poor run of form in their recent matches, the Islanders will be desperate to ensure that New Zealand Women don’t plunge more misery on them. The Chamari Atapattu-led side’s bowling force will be led by Shashikala Siriwardene, who has scalped seven wickets in her last five matches. Her vast experience will be a crucial factor for Sri Lanka Women.

Team Combination

New Zealand Women

New Zealand Women’s biggest strength will be their batting forte, comprising the likes of Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest and Suzie Bates. The Kiwis also have a formidable bowling lineup which includes Amelia Kerr, Anna Peterson and Lea Tahuhu. The presence of skipper Sophie Devine will certainly play a pivotal role in New Zealand’s pursuit of the World Cup trophy. In the past five encounters against Sri Lanka Women, the Kiwi Women have been triumphant on all occasions– something which Sophie Devine and her troops will aim to capitalize.

Predicted 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.

Sri Lanka Women

Along with the batting and bowling brilliance of skipper Atapattu, Sri Lanka Women will be anticipating some match-winning performances from their experience cricketers as well. Shashikala Siriwardene, Hasini Perera, Nilakshi De Silva and Udeshika Probodhani have a plethora of experience under their belt– something which they will be banking on against the Kiwis. 21-year-old Harshitha Madavi also holds the potential to turn the course of the match single-handedly. The left-handed batswoman will be looking to gather her maiden half-century and century propel Sri Lanka Women to the triumph.

Predicted XI:  Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Madavi, Hansima Karunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Shashikala Siriwardene, Ama Kanchana, Udeshika Prabhodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Kavisha Dilhari.

Focus will be on

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 single-handedly. Scoring runs at a blistering strike-rate along with scalping wickets at regular intervals– Devine’s match-winning abilities will undoubtedly play a crucial role in New Zealand’s success. The 30-year-old has a plethora of experience under her belt and has even scored a half-century and a ton in her last five matches for the national side.

Chamari Atapattu (Sri Lanka Women)

Skipper Chamari Atapattu will undoubtedly serve as the talisman for Sri Lanka Women in both the departments. The 30-year-old batting all-rounder scalped three wickets and stitched an unbeaten 78-run knock against England Women in her previous match. The left-hander has played 81 T20Is where she has amassed 1462 runs including a ton and a half-century. Atapattu also has 24 wickets to her name.

Head to Head

Played – 7 | Won by New Zealand Women – 7 | Won by Sri Lanka Women – 0 | Tied – 0 | No result – 0

Stat Attack

0- Sri Lanka have failed to register a single victory in their last five matches against New Zealand Women.

2252- New Zealand Women’s star Sophie Devine has amassed 2252 runs in her T20I career including a ton and 13 half-centuries.

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings: 07:00 pm (local), 4:30 pm (IST)