Following South Africa’s 2-1 One-Day International series win over visitors New Zealand, the 2nd leg of the bilateral series is set to kick off on the 6th of October, 2023, with the first of 5 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The series opener will be played at Buffalo Park, East London, and will commence at 9:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
South Africa – Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker
New Zealand – Sophie Devine (C), Kate Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
Players to watch out:
Nadine de Klerk
The 23-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, has accumulated 408 runs in 31 outings, including the highest score of 37*, and has taken 30 wickets from 32 innings, with her best figures being 3/7. Nadine de Klerk’s form is on the rise, first against Pakistan in an away series and now on home soil against New Zealand, where she continues to be a vital contributor consistently with both bat and ball.
Chloe Tryon
The 29-year-old all-rounder has accumulated 1036 runs from 70 innings and has taken 27 wickets in 55 bowling outings. Chloe, making her return to international cricket for the first time since the February ’23 World Cup, looked in impressive touch with the bat, registering scores of 71 and 25 in the ODIs. She continues to deliver the goods with the ball as well, producing bowling figures of 0/10 (2), 0/21 (3), and 1/33 (9).
Melie Kerr
The 22-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, has scored 738 runs from 44 batting outings and also has 60 wickets to her name from 61 bowling innings. In a misfiring White Ferns’ line-up, a lot revolves around the in-form batter Melie, who in the ODIs, registered scores of 22, 88, and 100*. She will also want to be a little more aggressive with the ball, looking to take wickets, something she fell short of during the ODIs.
Lea Tahuhu
The 33-year-old pacer, with 76 T20I appearances, has taken as many wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 5.97. She has also been handy with the bat, contributing 160 runs from 26 outings. Tahuhu has led the Ferns’ bowling attack brilliantly over the past few years, as she did in the ongoing series ODI leg, producing 5 breakthroughs in 3 games.
Pitch:
The slow-natured center wicket at Buffalo Park poses a challenge for batters to score with ease, and the modest average score of 99 at the venue suggests the same. Bowlers, particularly spinners, play a crucial role in dictating the game’s outcome.
Weather:
With showers forecasted throughout the match duration, there is a possibility of rain playing spoilsport and potentially resulting in a washout. The temperature is expected to be around 19°C, with moderate winds and a humidity level of 98%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Sinalo Jafta, Laura Wolvaardt, Suzie Bates, Sune Luus, Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Lea Tahuhu, Nonkululeko Mlaba
Match details:
Date – October 06, 2023
Time – 9:30 PM IST
Venue – Buffalo Park, East London
Broadcast – All games of the series will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.