The third match of the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup will be played between India and South Africa on January 14 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa. The game will begin at 5.15 PM IST (1.45 PM LOCAL).
Both teams have played a couple of warm-up fixtures ahead of the World Cup. While India beat Australia and lost to Bangladesh in their warm-up clashes, South Africa suffered defeats at the hands of Australia and Bangladesh in their warm-up ties.
Squads
India: Shafali Verma (c), Shweta Sehrawat (vc), Richa Ghosh (wk), G Trisha, Soumya Tiwari, Sonia Mehdiya, Hurley Gala, Hrishita Basu (wk), Sonam Yadav, Mannat Kashyap, Archana Devi, Parshavi Chopra, Titas Sadhu, Falak Naz, Shabnam
South Africa: Elandri Janse Van Rensburg, Simone Lourens, Anica Swart, Karabo Meso, Madison Landsman (vc), Oluhle Siyo (c), Kayla Reyneke, Jenna Evans, Miane Smit, Ayanda Hlubi, Seshnie Naidu, Refilwe Moncho, Monalisa Legodi, Nthabiseng Nini, Jemma Botha
Players to Watch
Shafali Verma:
The captain and right-handed opening batter of India Women’s U19 is an aggressive batter and can take any opposition to the cleaners. The former world number one WT20I batter will be expected to lead from the front and shoulder the batting responsibility of her side. Besides her batting, she can be handy with her gentle off-spin.
Richa Ghosh:
The wicket-keeper and right-handed middle-order batter of India Women’s U19 will hold the key in the middle overs. She will be playing the finisher’s role in the side. She is also one of the safest houses behind the stumps. Her international experience will be helpful for India.
Seshnie Naidu:
She is a promising right-arm leg-spinner of South Africa Women’s U19. She has been effective in the middle phase of the innings during the warm-up matches. She has good control over her lines and lengths and can give her team crucial breakthroughs.
Kayla Reyneke:
This talented all-rounder of South Africa Women’s U19 will be required to contribute with both bat and ball. She is a right-handed middle-order batter and a wily right-arm off-spinner. In the last warm-up match against Australia Women’s U19, she scalped 5/2 in two overs, opening the bowling with Ayanda Hlubi.
Pitch
It will be the tournament’s second game at this venue, with the first match being played early in the day. Here a couple of women’s T20Is have been played to date. Both these games were played in 2019. The teams batting second have won both matches here. The highest total scored is 174, and the lowest is 125. Expect good batting conditions and a likelihood of a run feast.
Weather
The weather is expected to be very warm with plenty of sunshine. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 31 degrees Celsius. There will be a zero percent cloud cover and a one percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the northeast.
Fantasy Playing XI
Richa Ghosh, Elandri Janse Van Rensburg, Oluhle Siyo, Soumya Tiwari, Trisha Gongadi, Shafali Verma, Kayla Reyneke, Sonia Mendhiya, Seshnie Naidu, Archana Devi, Sonam Yadav
Match details
Date: January 14, 2023
Time: 5.15 PM IST (1.45 PM LOCAL)
Venue: Willowmoore Park, Benoni, South Africa
Live streaming: Fan Code
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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.
