Ahead of the multi-format series featuring senior national teams of Australia and South Africa, the latter is slated to take on Governor General’s XI at the North Sydney Oval, Australia. The One-Off Twenty20 fixture is scheduled for 8:15 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 24th of January 2024.
Squads:
Governor Generals XI – Sophie Molineux (C) Chloe Ainsworth, Maddy Darke, Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Milly Illingworth, Charli Knott, Courtney Sippel, Tahlia Wilson, Georgia Voll, Private Kayla Stuchbree
South Africa – Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chloé Tryon, Delmi Tucker
Players to watch out :
Sophie Molineux –
The 26-year-old all-rounder, in T20 Internationals (T20Is), has scalped 26 wickets from 27 outings, maintaining an economy rate of 5.94 and registering the best of 4/16. Sophie, in her most recent T20 stint, a couple of Smash games, returned figures of 1/14 and 0/44, while registering scores of 19 and 17. She’ll be banked on to deliver the goods.
Chloe Ainsworth –
The 18-year-old pacer impressed during the most recent 09 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. Chloe was a standout for the Scorchers, striking 15 wickets, including the best of 3/25, from 13 outings, at an economy rate of 7.56. She is a promising up-and-coming pacer, and it’ll be interesting to watch how she fares against a strong national side.
Chloé Tryon –
The 29-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, from 72 outings has accumulated 1067 runs, including the highest of 57*, at a strike rate of 137.85, and bagged 31 wickets from 58 innings. Following her WBBL season, Chloé missed a home series due to an injury, and given her experience of playing in Australia, she’ll be counted on to lead the charts.
Nadine de Klerk –
The 26-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 32 outings, has amassed 409 runs and taken 34 wickets from 35 innings, registering respective bests of 37* and 3/7. Nadine, in her most recent T20I series against New Zealand, returned figures of 1/32, 0/32, and 3/24. It’ll be hoped she picks up from where she left, being amongst both runs and wickets.
Pitch:
The wicket at North Sydney Oval provides a certain degree of assistance to the batters. Although it is a batting-friendly surface, the average score at the venue remains in the 140s, suggesting the assistance that bowlers can expect.
Weather:
The conditions at North Sydney Oval are expected to be pleasant for the game, with clear skies and a minimal chance of rain. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 29°C, with light winds and humidity of 71%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Mieke de Ridder, Laura Wolvaardt, Tess Flintoff, Georgia Voll, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Sophie Molineux, Nadine de Klerk, Charli Knott, Chloe Ainsworth, Courtney Sippel
Match details:
Date – January 24, 2024
Time – 8:15 AM IST
Venue – North Sydney Oval, Australia
Broadcast – T.B.C.