The inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup is just around the corner. South Africa will be hosting the marquee event from January 14 to 29.
Ahead of the World Cup, India Women’s U19 squad is already in South Africa to play a five-match T20 series against the hosts from December 27 to January 4. This bilateral series is expected to serve as a good preparatory ground for both teams, keeping in mind the all-important Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.
The first T20 of the five-match series will be played on December 27 at Tuks Oval in Pretoria. The game will begin at 1.30 PM IST (10 AM LOCAL).
Squads
India Women’s U19: Shafali Verma (Captain), Shweta Sehrawat (Vice-Captain), Richa Ghosh (WK), Gongadi Trisha, Soumya Tiwari, Sonia Mendhiya, Hurley Gala, Hrishita Basu (WK), Sonam Yadav, Mannat Kashyap, Archana Devi, Parshavi Chopra, Titas Sadhu, Falak Naz, Shabnam MD, Shikha Shalot, Najla CMC, Yashashree
South Africa Women’s U19: Karabo Meso, Simone Lourens, Oluhle Siyo, Elandri Janse Van Rensburg, Jenna Evans, Anica Swart, Jemma Botha, Miane Smit, Seshnie Naidu, Madison Landman, Kayla Reyneke, Refilwe Moncho, Ayanda Hlubi, Nthabiseng Nini, Monalisa Legodi, Caitlin Wyngaard, Diara Ramlakan
Players to Watch
Shafali Verma:
The captain of India Women’s U19 needs no introduction. She has taken the world of women’s cricket by storm at just 18 years of age. The former world number one WT20I batter is a right-handed opening batter and can take any opposition to the cleaners. She can also offer off-spin.
Hurley Gala:
She is a dashing all-rounder from Mumbai. A right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm speedster will be the vital cog in the India Women’s U19 team. The 16-year-old can be a pinch hitter and bat almost anywhere in the batting order. She is also a good new ball bowler and a genuine wicket-taker.
Oluhle Siyo:
She is a right-handed top-order batter of South Africa Women’s U19, who plays her domestic cricket for the Eastern Province. The 18-year-old will be required to shoulder the batting responsibility of her side. Besides her batting, she can be handy with the ball, as she bowls right-arm medium-pace.
Miane Smit:
She is a prolific right-handed batter of South Africa Women’s U19. The 17-year-old can bat at the top of the order or in the middle. Playing her domestic cricket for Free State, she has made valuable contributions for her team. With the ball, she is more than a decent off-spinner.
Pitch
Expect a fresh wicket that will be hard, and assist the batters. Given the morning start, the fast bowlers could get some help, especially in the first hour of play. An exciting contest between the bat and the ball could be on the cards.
Weather
The weather is expected to be partly sunny and nice. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 31 degrees Celsius. There will be a 35 percent cloud cover and a four percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the north.
Fantasy Playing XI
Richa Ghosh, Oluhle Siyo, Shafali Verma, Soumya Tiwari, Hurley Gala, Miana Smit, Sonia Mendhiya, Ayanda Hlubi, Mannat Kashyap, Refilwe Moncho, Sonam Yadav
Match details
Date: December 27, 2022
Time: 1.30 PM IST (10 AM LOCAL)
Venue: Tuks Oval, Pretoria
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
