In match no. 5 of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia and Sri Lanka will lock horns on the 5th of October 2024. The game is scheduled for 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. Fantasy XI fans confused about player selections? We’ve sorted the best options based on statistics and form—let us help you!
Fantasy playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Phoebe Litchfield, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Wareham, Ash Gardner, Kavisha Dilhari, Sophie Molineux, Alana King
Keeper-batters:
Beth Mooney –
The 30-year-old opener has accumulated 2858 runs from 95 T20I innings, at an impressive average of 39.69 and a strike rate of 123.66. Her remarkable tally includes 23 fifties and two centuries, with the highest score of 117*. Her consistency shines through with averages of 56.12 (2022), 41.00 (2023), and 38.88 (2024). Beth’s adaptability to different conditions is a standout, and her recent warm-up game fifty underscores her fine form heading into the World Cup. Her reliability makes her a must-pick for any Fantasy XI.
Alyssa Healy –
The 34-year-old opener has amassed 2997 runs from 140 innings, averaging 25.31 with a strike rate of 129.47, including 17 fifties and a century, with the career-high 148* against Sri Lanka in 2019. Alyssa has been in sublime form this year, averaging 36.60 with a strike rate of 136.05, her best numbers since 2020. Despite the additional captaincy duties, she has shown maturity and continued to deliver impactful knocks. A proven match-winner, she remains an essential pick in any XI.
Batters:
Ellyse Perry –
The 33-year-old all-rounder has made a remarkable impact in T20Is, amassing 1956 runs from 100 innings at an average of 31.04 and a strike rate of 115.87. With the ball, she has taken 126 wickets from 136 outings at a tidy economy rate of 5.83. Ellyse has been in excellent form this year, particularly in franchise cricket, and in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, she registered scores of 34 and 36. A proven performer in big matches, she is a must-pick for any Fantasy XI.
Tahlia McGrath –
The 28-year-old all-rounder has scored 981 runs from 35 T20Is at an impressive average of 40.87, striking at 132.74, and has also taken 17 wickets from 23 innings, though her economy rate stands at 8.58. Tahlia didn’t score many runs in her recent T20I series, departing cheaply for 6 and 7, but she bounced back in the warmup game against England, scoring 31 and returning figures of 3/18. She has found her rhythm early in the tournament and will be a rewarding pick.
Phoebe Litchfield –
The 22-year-old top-order batter has scored 268 runs from 12 T20I innings at an average of 38.28 and an impressive strike rate of 153.14, with the highest score of 64*. After a brief dip in form during The Hundred, where she scored 171 runs from 7 outings, Phoebe regained her momentum with scores of 44, 43, 14, and 45 in the latter stage of the same campaign. She followed with a match-winning 64* against New Zealand and her return to form makes her a strong contender in the XI.
All-rounders:
Chamari Athapaththu –
The 34-year-old all-rounder has excelled in T20Is, accumulating 3332 runs from 138 outings at an average of 25.24 and a strike rate of 110.77, and with the ball, she has claimed 59 wickets from 82 innings at an economy rate of 6.60. Chamari is in incredible form this year, amassing 681 runs at an average of 45.40 and a strike rate of 133.00, with 4 fifties and 2 centuries, while also taking 19 wickets. Given her current form, she is a certain pick.
Georgia Wareham –
The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder has claimed 59 wickets from 54 T20I outings, with the best of 3/12 and an economy rate of 6.13, and with the bat, she has added 238 runs from 19 innings at an impressive strike rate of 149.68. Georgia has been in great touch lately, securing twin scores of 26 and taking 4 wickets in the recent series against New Zealand. Her ability to deliver with both bat and ball makes her a solid choice for the XI.
Ash Gardner –
The 27-year-old all-rounder has posted 1380 runs from 70 T20I innings at a strike rate of 128.85, with the highest score of 93, and with the ball, she has taken 72 wickets from 78 outings, including the best of 5/12, maintaining an economy rate of 6.57. Ash has shown strong recent form, with scores of 18, 33, 21, and 31, alongside bowling figures of 3/16, 1/27, 1/15, and 0/12. Her all-round capabilities, especially her match-winning contributions, make her a must-pick.
Kavisha Dilhari –
The 23-year-old all-rounder has scored 486 runs from 47 T20I innings, with the highest score of 51* and a strike rate of 103.40, while with the ball, has claimed 51 wickets from 61 outings at an economy rate of 6.50. Kavisha has been a standout performer this year, scoring 267 runs at a strike rate of 124.18 and picking up 22 wickets from 19 outings. Her consistency this season makes her a valuable asset in the XI.
Bowlers:
Sophie Molineux –
The 26-year-old left-arm off-spinner has taken 34 wickets from 33 T20I outings, with the best of 4/17 and an economy rate of 5.83. After her last T20I appearance in 2021, Sophie returned to the international stage earlier this year, having recovered from multiple injuries, and has since claimed 8 wickets from 6 games. Known for her all-round capabilities, her contributions with both bat and ball make her one of the top picks for the Fantasy XI.
Alana King –
The 28-year-old leg-spinner has bagged 21 wickets from 22 T20I innings, with the best of 4/8 and an economy rate of 6.29. Alana didn’t feature in the 3-match T20I series against New Zealand and the first warmup game and in the second warmup, bagged figures of 4/30 and chipped in with a 21* with the bat. Given the spin-friendly conditions in the UAE, she will be instrumental to Australia’s success and should be a top contributor in the XI.
For more on the upcoming game, click here for the game preview and here for broadcast details.