The 2024 Twenty20 (T20) Women’s Pacific Cup kicks off on the 17th of January 2024, and Match No. 5 from the Round 2 fixtures will feature a contest between the first-ever Aotearoa Māori squad and Vanuatu. The game will be played at Lloyd Elsmore Park 2, Auckland, and commences at 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Aotearoa Māori – Kerry-Anne Tomlinson (C), Skye Bowden (VC), Jess McFadyen (VC, WK), Dayle Anderson, Georgia Atkinson, Nicole Baird, Ocean Bartlett, Jessica Benge, Eden Carson, Olivia Clark, Claire Crooks, Samantha Curtis, Marama Downes, Mollie Drumm, Mereana Hyde, Caitlin King, Macy Lyford, Sam Mackinder, Emma Parker, Jess Smith, Anika Todd, Holly Topp (WK)
Vanuatu – Selina Solman (C), Alvina Chilia (VC), Rachel Andrew, Maiyllise Carlot (WK), Gillian Chilia, Leimauri Chilia, Lizzing Enoch, Natalia Kakor, Valenta Langiatu, Vicky Mansale, Nasimana Navaika, Rayline Ova, Mahina Tarimiala (WK), Vanessa Vira
Players to watch out:
Georgia Atkinson
The 23-year-old all-rounder kicked off her ’23/24 domestic season on a high, amassing 202 runs from 5 One-Day outings. Though Georgia failed to carry forward the same momentum into the T20 season, she’s back amongst runs, scoring a fine 42 in her most recent T20 outing. It’ll be hoped she carries forward the same form into the tournament.
Skye Bowden
The 22-year-old pacer has displayed outstanding form in the ongoing T20 Smash season, scalping 10 wickets from 5 outings, maintaining an economy rate of 7.62, and registering the best figures of 4/18. It’ll be expected of Skye to make the most of the form she is in while also chipping in with the bat. She will be relied upon for the goods.
Selina Solman
The 28-year-old all-rounder, in 30 T20I appearances, has accumulated 382 runs, including the highest score of 50*, and taken 28 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 4.41, with the best figures being 3/8. Late last year, Selina was a standout for the team with both the bat and ball in the T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier and will be counted on to add value.
Nasimana Navaika
The 28-year-old all-rounder in T20Is has added 288 runs to the tally from 20 outings while also taking 28 wickets from 25 outings, registering respective bests of 44* and 4/15. Nasimana in the Qualifier event followed her starts with a 41* in her last outing and also was amongst the wickets. It’ll be expected of her to step up for the team yet again.
Pitch:
The center wicket at Lloyd Elsmore Park 2 offers a balanced playing surface that slightly favors the bowlers. While it is conducive for batting, the average score in the 130s suggests there’s assistance for bowlers, pacers in particular.
Weather:
With the temperature expected to hover around 25°C and no chance of rain, we are in for a complete game of cricket. The overhead will be partly cloudy, light winds are expected, and the humidity will be at 83%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Jess McFadyen, Kerry-Anne Tomlinson, Georgia Atkinson, Rachel Andrew, Selina Solman, Skye Bowden, Nasimana Navaika, Ocean Bartlett, Eden Carson, Marama Downes, Nicole Baird
Match details:
Date – January 17, 2024
Time – 7:30 AM IST
Venue – Lloyd Elsmore Park 2, Auckland
Broadcast – Access live scores for the game on nzc.nz and the PlayHQ match center web portal.
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