With the ICC Women’s World T20 fast approaching, the upcoming limited international series between West Indies Women and South Africa Women will help the sides get the preparations underway. South Africa will take on the Windies Women in a 3 match ODI and 5 match T20 series.
The series is a part of ICC Women’s championship and will begin from 16th of September. Windies are currently ranked 5th with 98 points and South Africa are 6th in the table with 95 points. Both the teams have made some changes to their squads from the previous series and will try to get the best possible combination in place before the main event in November.
Windies Women have recalled Shemaine Campbelle, Shakera Selman and Natasha McLean for the series. Campbelle had a successful domestic season and the wicketkeeper batsman will put pressure on Merissa Aguillera for the position behind the wicket. Selman who missed the last series due to injury will be back and will strengthen the Windies bowling attack. Uncapped players Sheneta Grimmond and Karishma Ramharack will feature in the 5 match T20 series. South Africa women have also included 3 uncapped players for this tour. Robin Searle, Saarah Smith and Tumi Sekhukhune are set to make their international debuts during the series.
Some of the key players to look out for in the series will be –
Windies Women –
Stefanie Taylor – The Windies captain has been an integral part of the success in the recent past. The all-rounder has been in decent form in the recently concluded KSL where she scored 155 runs and picked up 6 wickets.
Hayley Matthews – One of the highly talented cricketers in the region, Hayley Matthews has been an asset with both the bat and ball. The 20 year old all-rounder has tasted enough success in her blooming career so far and her aggressive batting is what the Windies will rely on to get off to a good start.
Deandra Dottin – Another all-rounder in the side, who was the first woman to score a century in a T20 World Cup match against South Africa in 2010. She scored a century in just 38 deliveries. Also, a useful medium fast bowler, she has a decent economy rate in both ODIs and T20s.
Afy Fletcher – This legbreak bowler has tasted success in the recent past and has been the reason for the Windies restricting the opposition to low totals. A good bowling average of 21.43 in the ODIs and 20.20 in T20s makes her lethal in the limited overs format.
South Africa Women –
Dane Van Niekerk – the Proteas skipper just like her counterpart has been in good form in the KSL. She managed to score 146 runs at a strike rate of 94 picked up 13 wickets at an economy of 6.62. Her bowling in the middle overs and her wicket taking ability will be a big asset during the series.
Lizelle Lee – this aggressive opening batswoman started slowly at KSL but gained great momentum at the end. She scored 352 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150 and was the star in the finals where she scored 104 runs off 58 balls.
Mignon Du Preez – she did not have a good outing in the KSL where she scored only 174 runs at a strike rate of around 104. However, she is one of the pillars of the Proteas batting line up and her experience in the middle order will prove to be a deciding factor in the series.
Marizanne Kapp – The bowling all-rounder has not been in the best of the forms but is always a force to reckon with. One of the most experienced players in the squad, her ability to strike big blows in the death overs and pick up wickets will play a decisive role in the upcoming series.
The Windies look to be a formidable side at home and will start as favourites for the series. However, South African team has a lot of match-winning, talented and experienced players and will give the Windies a run for their money. This series will help the Proteas prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup which is also going to be hosted in the Carribean. Both the teams are well balanced and we can anticipate a highly competitive series and can turn out to be a treat for cricket fans across the globe.
A digital marketing consultant by profession, a student of strategy and business. Food lover, passionate about Cricket and a huge fan of the Windies cricket team.