The second women’s T20I semi-final of the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be played between Australia and New Zealand on August 6 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The match will start at 10.30PM IST.
While Australia were the table toppers in Group A, beating Barbados, India, and Pakistan in the league stage, New Zealand, on the other hand, secured the second position in Group B, defeating South Africa and Sri Lanka. The White Ferns lost to only England in the league stage.
Squads
Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Claudia Green, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
Last 5 performances
While Australia have won four out of their last five matches, with one match not producing a result, New Zealand, on the other hand, have won two and lost three.
Head-to-Head
Australia and New Zealand have played 46 T20Is against each other, out of which Australia have won 24, New Zealand have won 21, and one match did not produce a result.
Players to watch
Meg Lanning:
The captain of Australia has scored 48 runs in three matches of this competition, including the best of 36 not out. This right-handed top order batter will be required to shoulder the batting responsibility of her team and lead from the front.
Alana King:
The wily leg spinner from Australia has picked up five wickets in three matches of this tournament. She has scalped one four wicket-haul as well. She has bowled tight lines and lengths and has an economy rate of under five runs per over.
Tahlia McGrath:
This talented all-rounder from Australia has made useful contributions with both bat and ball in this tournament so far. The right-handed middle order batter has muscled 92 runs and claimed six wickets, bowling right arm medium pace. She is the leading run scorer and highest wicket-taker for Australia in this competition so far.
Sophie Devine:
The captain of New Zealand will be expected to shine with both bat and ball. In this tournament, this right-handed opening batter has smashed 73 runs in three matches. With the ball, she has picked up three wickets, bowling right arm medium pace.
Suzie Bates:
This right-handed opening batter of New Zealand is the top run scorer in this tournament. She has mustered 131 runs in three matches, including the best of 91 not out. She will be expected to provide a steady start to the White Ferns with the bat and lay a solid foundation for the batters to follow.
Amelia Kerr:
She is one of the best all-rounders of New Zealand. She is a right-handed top order batter and a right arm leg spinner. With the bat, she has registered 30 runs, while with the ball has pocketed four wickets. Though her numbers with the bat will not do justice to her talent, she will be certainly raring to go against Australia in the semi-final.
Pitch
Out of the 12 league matches played at this venue in this Commonwealth Games, teams batting first and the teams batting second have equal number of matches. The average first innings score is 124 and the average second innings score is 105. A high scoring contest can be expected. On the other hand, the spinners would enjoy bowling on this wicket that has undergone a lot of wear and tear over the last one week.
Weather
The weather is expected to see sun and some clouds. The maximum temperature forecast is 21 degrees Celsius. There will be 44 percent cloud cover and just seven percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the north-west.
Fantasy Playing XI
Alyssa Healy, Suzie Bates, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Jess Jonassen, Fran Jonas
Upcoming Milestones
Amelia Kerr is just 5 wickets away from completing 50 T20I wickets. She will become the 5th player from New Zealand to do so in women’s T20Is.
Match details
Date: August 6, 2022
Time: 10.30PM IST
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Live streaming: Sony LIV app, Sony Sony Sports Network
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