The fifth T20 of the five-match series between India Women’s U19 and South Africa Women’s U19 will be played on January 3 at Steyn City School Ground in Pretoria. The game will begin at 1.30 PM IST (10 AM LOCAL). India Women’s U19 lead the series 2-0.
The second and third T20s were abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield. Cricket South Africa has scheduled an extra match that will be played on January 3, which was not a part of the itinerary earlier.
In the fourth T20, batting first, South Africa Women’s U19 posted 86/9 in 20 overs. Kayla Reyneke top-scored with 18 for her team. For India Women’s U19, Najila CMC was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. In reply, the tourists completed the formalities in 15 overs and won the match by four wickets. Captain Shafali Verma was at the helm of the run chase with a 27-ball 29, while for the hosts, Seshnie Naidu was the most successful bowler with three scalps.
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 led the run chase from the front in the fourth T20 against South Africa Women’s U19. The right-handed opening batter muscled 29 off 27, including two boundaries and as many sixes. In the process, she shared a 51-run stand with her opening partner Soumya Tiwari.
Falak Naz:
The right-arm speedster of India Women’s U19 claimed 11/2 in four overs, including one maiden. She opened the bowling with Yashashri and was effective with the new ball. She was the only bowler in the team to bowl a maiden.
Kayla Reyneke:
The right-handed top-order batter of South Africa Women’s U19 scored 18 off 26 in the fourth T20 against India Women’s U19. She held the innings together, coming into bat in the fifth over and being in the middle until the 14th. She also bowled one over and gave away 12 runs.
Seshnie Naidu:
The wily right-arm off-spinner of South Africa Women’s U19 was the pick of the bowlers in the fourth T20 against India Women’s U19. She scalped 14/3 in four overs and was the second-most economical bowler for her side. She bowled well in the middle phase of the innings and struck twice in the 13th over.
Pitch
It will be the fifth game of the series at the venue. The last match was a low-scoring affair, with just 173 runs being scored. 15 wickets fell in that fixture. Unlike the past few days when the conditions were cloudy, the weather looks good today. Batters may get assistance. A relatively high-scoring contest could be on the cards.
Weather
The weather is expected to be sunny to partly cloudy and nice. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 28 degrees Celsius. There will be a 29 percent cloud cover and a 25 percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the west-northwest.
Fantasy Playing XI
Richa Ghosh, Oluhle Siyo, Shafali Verma, Shweta Sehrawat, Soumya Tiwari, Hurley Gala, Archana Devi, Kayla Reyneke, Ayanda Hlubi, Seshnie Naidu, Falak Naz
Match details
Date: January 3, 2023
Time: 1.30 PM IST (10 AM LOCAL)
Venue: Steyn City School Ground, Pretoria
Live streaming: South Africa (YouTube Channel)
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.