Victoria and Australian Capital Territory Meteors will go head-to-head in match no. 28 of the ongoing 28th Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL). The game will be played at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on the 18th of January 2024, at 4:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Victoria – Sophie Molineux (C), Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Poppy Garner, Ella Hayward, Olivia Henry, Milly Illingworth, Meg Lanning, Jasmine Nevins, Rhiann O’Donnell, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Prestwidge, Sophie Reid, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
Australian Capital Territory Meteors – Katie Mack (C), Holly Ferling, Carly Leeson, Alisha Bates, Angelina Genford, Annie Wikman, Grace Dignam, Grace Lyons, Chloe Rafferty, Amy Hunter, Olivia Porter, Paris Bowdler, Rebecca Carter
Players to watch out:
Sophie Molineux
The 26-year-old all-rounder, who missed the first leg fixtures due to injury, has played in 3 WNCL outings this summer. She has registered scores of 19, 62, and 41, while also producing figures of 1/38, 6/45, and 2/45. Sophie has made an instant impact and will be relied upon for her performances.
Ella Hayward
The 20-year-old has amassed 139 runs and taken 6 wickets in 7 WNCL appearances this summer. Ella has been particularly impressive in the 2nd leg fixtures, starting with a 57* and following up with a 26. With the ball, after a couple of wicketless outings, she returned figures of 4/21, and it’s hoped she builds on this momentum.
Katie Mack
The 30-year-old top-order batter has accumulated 248 runs, including the highest score of 95*, from 9 WNCL outings this season. Katie was consistent in the 1st leg fixtures and started the 2nd with a solid 66, but since then, she has departed with scores of 8, 15, 0, and 8. She’ll be backed to rediscover her mojo in this game.
Alisha Bates
The 21-year-old promising all-rounder has had a decent ’23/24 WNCL season thus far, managing 113 runs and scalping 2 wickets from 7 games. Alisha has had several starts, including a 24 in her most recent outing, and it’ll be expected of her to convert these, while also delivering consistently with the ball.
Pitch:
Junction Oval dishes out a balanced center wicket with a slight advantage for bowlers over batters, as evidenced by a modest average score at the venue. Pace-friendly conditions will see pacers hold an advantage on this track, while spinners also will prove effective.
Weather:
Despite cloudy overhead, the chances of rain remain minimal, and the forecast promises a complete game of cricket. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 19°C, with light winds and humidity at 54%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Nicole Faltum, Meg Lanning, Katie Mack, Rebecca Carter, Ella Hayward, Ellyse Perry, Carly Leeson, Georgia Wareham, Alisha Bates, Georgia Prestwidge, Sophie Molineux
Match details:
Date – January 18, 2024
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – Junction Oval, Melbourne
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, and it will also be available for streaming on Kayo Sports.
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