In the 5th place playoff of the Women’s Twenty20 International (T20I) Pacific Cup, Fiji and Cook Islands will face off at Lloyd Elsmore Park 3, Auckland. The game will be played on the 21st of January 2024, at 3:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Fiji – Ilisapeci Waqavakatoga (C, WK), Melaia Biu, Maeavhanisi Erasito (WK), Ana Gonerara, Ateca Kainoco, Silvia Kijiana, Cilia Lewatu, Lagakali Lomani, Akosita Poulter, Marica Ratuki (WK), Mereani Rodan, Saimoni Tuitoga, Karalaini Vakuruivalu, Mele Waqanisau
Cook Islands – Tetiare Mataora (C), Mummy Elikana, Ioane Evangelean, Zamera Maeva, Tailor Maika, Koitai Mataora (WK), Maya Piakura, MR Vila, Tapuaiva Piakura, Angite Ruarau, Zamera Ikiua, Sofia Samuels, Sonnia Vaia, Esther Williams
Players to watch out:
Ateca Kainoco
The 19-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, from 18 innings, has managed 85 runs, while also taking 7 wickets from 11 outings. Ateca hasn’t bowled a lot in this tournament, while with the ball, she has managed a few starts. It’ll be hoped she capitalizes on this momentum, registering a match-winning knock.
Mele Waqanisau
The pacer, from 4 T20I outings, has scalped 3 wickets, registering the best figures of 2/25, maintaining an economy rate of 7.20. Mele, in her previous 3 outings, has returned figures of 2/29, 2/25, and 0/9, and it’ll be expected that she carries forward this momentum into this game.
MR Vila
The all-rounder, from 4 T20I appearances, has managed 45 runs and also has a couple of wickets to her name. Vila, with the bat, has registered the highest of 23 and produced the best figures of 2/21. The team will count on her to build on this recent success and deliver the goods.
Sofia Samuels
The 15-year-old pacer, averaging 20.62, has struck 8 wickets from as many T20I outings, maintaining an economy rate of 6.47, and produced the best of 3/19. Sofia, in her recent few outings, has registered figures of 3/19, 2/9, 0/35, and 1/20, and will be backed to make the most of this form, leading the charts.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at Lloyd Elsmore Park 3 offer greater assistance to bowlers over batters. The average score at the venue is only a modest score in the 90s and batters will need to display discipline and skill to post a competitive total on this wicket.
Weather:
The conditions at Lloyd Elsmore Park are forecasted to be clear and pleasant for cricket, with a party cloudy overhead. The temperature is expected to hover around 27°C, with light winds and humidity of 88%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Sonnia Vaia, Ilisapeci Waqavakatoga, Tailor Maika, MR Vila, Zamera Ikiua, Melaia Biu, Ateca Kainoco, Tetiare Mataora, Mele Waqanisau, Sofia Samuels, Esther Williams
Match details:
Date – January 21, 2024
Time – 3:00 AM IST
Venue – Lloyd Elsmore Park 3, Auckland
Broadcast – Access live scores for the game on nzc.nz and the PlayHQ match center web portal.
Loves all things female cricket