The first T20I of the three-match series between England and South Africa will be played on July 21 at the County Ground in Chelmsford. The match will start at 11.30 PM IST.
The T20I series will be the last leg of the multi-format affair between the two teams. Prior to the T20I series, the two sides locked horns against each other in a one-off Test which ended in a draw and then in a three-match ODI series which England won 3-0.
Head-to-Head
England and South Africa have played 19 T20Is against each other, out of which England have won 15, South Africa have won three and one match did not produce a result.
Squads
England: Heather Knight (c), Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver (vc), Bryony Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt
South Africa: Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Delmi Tucker, Masabata Klass
Players to watch
Sophie Ecclestone:
This left arm spinner from England is the world number T20I. She has played 50 T20Is and accounted for 68 wickets, including one four wicket haul. She bowls at an economy rate of under six runs per over. Making good use of her height, she has all the variations in the book and can give any batter run for her money.
Sophia Dunkley:
The right-handed top order batter of England had a good outing in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa. She mustered 180 runs at an average of 60, including one century and one half-century. She has looked in good touch and would be willing to carry her form in the shortest format too.
Laura Wolvaardt:
This right-handed opening batter of South Africa is the world number four batter in women’s T20Is. She has played 36 T20Is and muscled 618 runs at a strike rate of 112. She has three half-centuries to her name, including the best of 55 not out. She will be the key to Proteas’ batting.
Marizanne Kapp:
She is one of the best all-rounders in the world of women’s cricket. This right-handed middle order batter and right arm medium pace bowler from South Africa is ranked three in the list of all-rounders in women’s T20Is. With 84 T20Is under her belt, she is an experienced campaigner. She has scored 1046 runs and picked up 66 wickets.
Pitch
The venue has hosted 11 women’s T20Is to date with the last one being played in September 2021. Out of the 11 matches played here, the teams batting first have won five and the teams batting second have won six. The average first innings score is 143 and the average second innings score is 113. The highest score achieved here is 226 and the lowest is 83. The cloudy conditions may assist the bowlers. Expect an exciting contest between bat and ball.
Weather
The weather is expected to see variable cloudiness. The temperature can go up to 24 degrees Celsius. The expected cloud cover is 81 percent and the probability of precipitation is 14 percent. The wind will blow from the north-northeast.
Fantasy Playing XI
Amy Jones, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Laura Wolvaardt, Natalie Sciver, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Issy Wong, Sophie Ecclestone, Shabnim Ismail
Match details
Date: July 21, 2022
Time: 11.30 PM IST
Venue: County Ground, Chelmsford
Live streaming: SONY LIV
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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.
