KIA Women’s Super League, 2019: Match 27, Surrey Stars vs Western Storm: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The 27th match of the Kia Women’s Super League 2019 will be played between Surrey Stars and Western Storm at the Woodbridge Road in Guildford.

The match starts at 2:30 PM local time (7:00 PM IST) (1:30 PM GMT).

Preview:

Western Storm has extended their winning streak to eight matches with a close 4-run win during the previous match against Surrey Stars. The Heather Knights will face Stars in the return fixture in Guildford where they will be the visiting team. The defending champions Surrey Stars now have lost each of their last five matches and will miss out from making it to the finals day.

They have got only 11 points as they began the tournament with two wins in two matches including a bonus point. The 3rd match was abandoned where the Stars got two points, but none in next five. They now look to finish with back to back wins. Sarah Taylor’s back to back fifties is something that cheers up the Surrey team while the skipper Natalie Sciver also got a fifty in the previous match.

Weather Condition/Report:

Sunny conditions with clear skies are expected for the game between Stars and Storm in Guildford. Temperature is expected to be as high as 31°C on Sunday at this venue. The weather forecast predicts 0% chances of rain during the match timings.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The first innings average score in KSL matches since 2018 at the Woodbridge Road reads 120. All these five matches were won by the chasing team only. In the ongoing season, the teams batting first posted 120, 120 and 121 in three games. Two of them earned a bonus point to the chasing team while another game was a last-over thriller. Slightly higher scores are expected on Sunday.

Average first innings score: 120 (Completed KSL matches since 2018)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 5, Lost – 0

Injury and Availability News:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Probable Playing XIs:

Western Storm:

Smriti Mandhana, Rachel Priest, Heather Knight (C), Fran Wilson, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Luff, Naomi Dattani, Anya Shrubsole, Alex Griffiths, Freya Davies, Claire Nicholas.

Bench: Ellie Mitchell, Sonia Odedra, Dani Gibson.

Surrey Stars:

Lizelle Lee, Bryony Smith, Sarah Taylor, Dane van Niekerk, Natalie Sciver (C), Marizanne Kapp, Laura Marsh, Mady Villiers, Aylish Cranstone, Eva Gray, Amy Gordon.

Bench:  Hannah Jones, Rhianna Southby, Grace Gibbs, Gwenan Davies.

Top Picks:

In a game where there are a lot of players of 9+ credits, the Western Storm bowlers Claire Nicholas and Freya Davies become a must. The duo has then 11 and 14 wickets respectively this season. The likes of Natalie Sciver, Sarah Taylor and Rachel Priest have had a couple of big games recently and are expected to continue that form.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Natalie Sciver, Heather Knight, Smriti Mandhana, Dane van Niekerk

Vice-Captain – Rachel Priest, Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson, Lizelle Lee

Dane van Niekerk has been promoted as an opener while Heather Knight is bowling 3-4 overs every game. These two players are expected to be among top performers due to their dual roles.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Rachel Priest (VC), Sarah Taylor

Batsmen – Fran Wilson, Heather Knight, Lizelle Lee

All-Rounders – Natalie Sciver (C), Dane van Niekerk, Deepti Sharma

Bowlers – Freya Davies, Claire Nicholas, Laura Marsh

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Rachel Priest, Sarah Taylor

Batsmen – Smriti Mandhana (C), Fran Wilson, Sophie Luff, Heather Knight (VC)

All-Rounders – Natalie Sciver, Dane van Niekerk, Mady Villiers

Bowlers – Claire Nicholas, Marizanne Kapp, Freya Davies

Expert Advice:

Smriti Mandhana is valued at 11 credits. She has to be taken at the cost of at least two players of 9 or more credits. Unless she scores a big knock, excluding her from the fantasy team won’t make any big difference. In fact, the stars have got Marizanne Kapp who has troubled Mandhana with the new ball.

Probable Winners:

Western Storm is expected to continue their winning streak.

*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.