With the Commonwealth Games day approaching, we’ve seen a few sides complete their buildup while are few are now nearing the end. Having witnessed some international cricket over the past few days, we now look at a few potential game changers for their sides in the shortest T20I format that’ll be played at the Games starting later this month.
Beth Mooney
The quiet dynamite, Beth Mooney for Australia is an absolute game changer. Mooney opens for Australia in the T20I format and with Alyssa Healy on the other end it does provide her with a licence to get in and then accelerate till the very end, but if she decides to go from ball 1 then we know at what high rate the scorecard will be ticking. There are more to name in Tahlia McGrath who’s emerged as Australia’s finest pace all-rounder in the current mix and Ashleigh Gardner the hard-hitting spin all-rounder. Runs are always crucial and when they come from the top order, it’s very comforting for the rest.
Shafali Verma
The rocket player, Shafali Verma for India could potentially help the Indian team get on the podium. We are all aware of the hard-hitting ability that Shafali Verma possesses, but it was that she’s being very aggressive and as a youngster failing to understand the need of the situation. What we’ve seen in the recently concluded India’s tour of Sri Lanka is very promising as we got to witness a side of Shafali that we waited for, the matured Shafali who’s understanding and playing to the situation. Shafali at the top if smartly gets going then we can expect her to be in for a big treat and there’s Smriti Mandhana on the other end who gets to her cricket freely. With Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar to follow they can provide the finishes required to score above par.
Dannielle Wyatt
Pocket-sized dynamite, Danni Wyatt for England is the one to bid on. England have looked confused and have been experimenting with her position in the side, but the attacking style of her play she naturally gets doesn’t require her to do the finishing job with the likes of Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley and Nat Sciver in the middle. The best would be to see Danni Wyatt open and accelerate for England from the top providing them with a strong platform to build on. There’s also Nat Sciver who’s the side’s best T20I player and her all-round abilities are absolute gold to the side. Danni Wyatt at the top or if England pushes Danni Wyatt in the middle, she remains a key being a quick charger at the cricket ball.
Sophia Devine
Vastly experienced, explosive opener and captain herself, Sophie Devine is New Zealand’s big hope for the Games. T20I is the format Sophie Devine goes well in and has a chance to lead her side from the front. Sophie Devine has the experience of playing T20 all around the globe and the English conditions are not alien to her. New Zealand hasn’t got a lot of surge players so, it does revolve around how Sophie Devine goes about her business and the platform she provides for the batters coming in.
Marizanne Kapp
An experienced all-rounder, Marizaane Kapp will remain the hope of South Africa. South Africa have had a couple of blows to deal with in Lizelle Lee announcing retirement and the unavailability of Dane van Niekerk missing out due to injury, they were the batters who got the elevation and surge right for South Africa and without them the side has looked very off colour with the bat. What’s more important is not Marizaane Kapp the batter or the bowler, South Africa finds themselves in a situation where they require Marizaane Kapp the all-rounder to render her best services. South Africa knows they can manage and score runs with Marizaane Kapp scoring well at an end, but if her bat goes quiet then it’s more trouble for South Africa. Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus with bat and Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail with ball are also other key players to be in form for South Africa to have a respectful outing.
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