Women’s T20 Challenge 2019, Match 2, Trailblazers vs Velocity, Preview - Mandhana aim a finals spot in Mithali's maiden game

Mithali Raj-led Velocity will be in action for the first time in Women's T20 Challenge.

Published - 07 May 2019, 21:55 IST | Updated - 07 May 2019, 21:55 IST

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The ladies in the coloured jerseys couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Women’s T20 challenge, with the Trailblazers registering a sensational win of the very final ball of the game. Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana led their sides from the front with the willow and the former very nearly pulled off a brilliant run chase.

After watching two stalwarts of Indian cricket in action on Monday, it’s time for the other one to take charge. Mithali Raj-led Velocity will take the field for their first game against the winners of the inaugural contest. A win here will seal Trailblazers’ place in the final but a defeat for them would mean the Tri-series will go all the way down the wire.

Velocity have an interesting mix of players, with some supremely talented seniors like Mithali Raj, Danielle Wyatt and some brilliant youngsters like Amelia Kerr. They will be in action for the first time this season and it’ll be interesting to see how their combinations work out.

Playing Combinations

Trailblazers

No changes are expected in Smriti Mandhana’s side. They have some strong names in the middle order like Deepti Sharma, Stefanie Taylor and Sophie Ecclestone, who need to step and ensure their skipper is not taking all the burden. Jhulan Goswami and Rajeshwari Gayakwad will continue to lead their bowling attack. Deepti Sharma’s off-spin is going to play a crucial role.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana (C), Suzie Bates, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Stefanie Taylor, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ravi Kalpana (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Shakera Selman, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

Velocity

Danielle Wyatt has a brilliant record in the shortest format and she will relish batting with the likes of Hayley Matthews and Mithali Raj. They have some firepower in the lineup in the form of Veda Krishnamurthy and Amelia Kerr, which makes everyone curious as to what the batting order is capable of. Ekta Bisht and Amelia Kerr will be key in the bowling attack with Shikha Pandey taking the new ball.

Probable XI: Danielle Wyatt, Hayley Matthews, Mithali Raj (C), Veda Krishnamurthy, Devika Vaidya, Sushma Verma (wl), Shikha Pandey, Amelia Kerr, Jahanara Alam, Ekta Bisht, Komal Zanzad.

Focus will be on

Jhulan Goswami (Trailblazers)

One of the very greats of Indian cricket, Jhulan Goswami will be Mandhana’s main star with the ball as always. The experience she brings to the table is unparalleled and despite conceding a lot of runs in the first game, her temperament or confidence will not be jolted. Indian cricket fans would love to see her bounce back with a big performance on Wednesday.

Amelia Kerr (Velocity)

The only cricketer after the immortal Belinda Clarke to score a double-ton in WODIs, teenage sensation Amelia Kerr continues to grow in strength. Interestingly, she is a bowling all-rounder and relishes her duties with the cherry more. She keeps things tight with her leg-breaks and will be a huge asset for Mithali Raj.