The 1st Semi-Final of the 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup Global Qualifier will feature a face-off between Ireland and Scotland at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. The game is scheduled for 4:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 5th of May 2024.
Squads:
Ireland – Laura Delany (C), Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Joanna Loughran, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell
Scotland – Kathryn Bryce (C), Chloe Abel, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Saskia Horley, Lorna Jack, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Nayma Sheikh, Rachel Slater, Ellen Watson
Players to watch out:
Amy Hunter
The 18-year-old keeper-batter, averaging 33.55 and striking at 112.12, has amassed 906 runs from 33 T20I innings and registered the highest score of 101*. Amy displayed outstanding form in a bilateral series earlier this year and, carrying her form into this competition, has notched up scores of 25, 71, 34*, and 1. She can be relied upon to lead the scoring.
Cara Murray
The 23-year-old leg-spinner, from 46 T20I appearances, has scalped 33 wickets, including the best of 3/9, maintaining an economy rate of 6.83. Cara kicked off her campaign on a high, returning figures of 1/15 (4) and 2/29 (4), and though she followed up with bowling figures of 0/18 (2), and 1/18 (2.3) in subsequent games, it’ll be hoped she returns to her best with the ball.
Saskia Horley
The 24-year-old all-rounder, from 11 T20Is, has accumulated 265 runs, at an average of 26.50 and a strike rate of 111.34, while also bagging 3 wickets from 7 innings. Saskia’s scores from the competition read 34* and 82* in the warm-up games, and 61* in the season opener. Though she hasn’t scored many since, she’ll be back to find her footing.
Hannah Rainey
The 26-year-old pacer has picked up 22 wickets from 31 T20I innings, maintaining an economy rate of 5.04, and recorded the best of 3/15. Hannah was sidelined from the playing XI up until the team’s most recent game; however, on return, she produced impressive figures of 2/12 (3). The team will count on her to capitalize on the start she has had.
Pitch:
The Zayed Cricket Stadium dishes a well-balanced wicket, one that pleases both batters and bowlers. The center strip offers enough assistance to spinners; as a result, the average score at the venue is around the 120s, indicating that it will not be a very high-scoring contest.
Weather:
With light winds, humidity at 40%, and the temperature forecasted to hover around 34°C, the conditions promise a complete game of cricket. The overhead is expected to be clear, and the chances of rain are minimal.
Fantasy playing XI:
Sarah Bryce, Amy Hunter, Ailsa Lister, Gaby Lewis, Orla Prendergast, Kathryn Bryce, Eimear Richardson, Laura Delany, Abtaha Maqsood, Arlene Kelly, Rachel Slater
Match details:
Date – May 05, 2024
Time – 4:30 PM IST
Venue – Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on FanCode and ICC TV.
