It’s a new team on the block and how well have they deserved a place among the top performers in world cricket. Thailand has stunned the cricketing world as they make their way into their first-ever ICC tournament and will take part in the T20 world cup in Australia.
Sornnarin Tippoch will lead an experienced 15-member Thailand squad in their first appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
Thailand has kept faith in most of the players who won them the qualification in the event in Scotland last year. The additions are Thipatcha Puttawong and Suwanan Khiaoto. Both these players were part of their squad for the recent T20 quadrangular series in India, also featuring Bangladesh. Arriya Yenyueak missed out from among those in the qualifier squad. Phannita Maya, who did not feature in the quadrangular series, has returned for the tournament.
There are some exciting players in this Thailand squad and the most interesting part of this side is that the players to watch out for in this team are some of the biggest achievers of 2019 with both bat & ball. So here’s a look at them.
#1 Sornnarin Tippoch
Skipper Sornnarin Tippoch has done well as a leader for this new side in international cricket and the off-spinner in 2019 took 31 wickets in 25 matches and was at No.4 in the leading wicket-takers list that year. She is a crafty bowler and someone Thailand cricket will have high hopes to do well in the upcoming T20 world cup.
#2 Natakkan Chantam (Thailand)
Opening batter Natakkan Chantam scored 498 runs in 24 innings at an average of 29.29 with two half-centuries to her name in the year 2019 and was the second-highest run-getter in the format last year. She will get to showcase her talent in the upcoming world cup and she could be an exciting prospect for Thailand.
#3 Suleeporn Naomi
Thailand bowlers have led the charts in 2019 as Suleeporn Laomi the Leg spinner picked up 37 wickets in 25 games at an e/r of 3.24 and was the second leading wicket-taker of 2019. Naomi gives that much-needed variety to Thailand’s bowling attack and is an interesting prospect just like all leg spinners are.
#4 Naruemol Chaiwai
Opening batter Naruemol Chaiwai in the past year scored 517 runs in 25 innings at an average of 25.85. She topped the list of the most run-getter in 2019 which will surely add up to her confidence with the biggest event of her career coming next month.
#5 Nattaya Boochatham
Nattaya Boochatham who is a right-arm off-spinner picked up 40 wickets in 25 games and topped the list of the leading wicket-takers for the year 2019. This shows the amount of ammunition Thailand carries along with it and surely would look to make some impact when they get to face the bigwigs of international cricket.
Having qualified for the very first time into an ICC tournament, Thailand as a cricket playing nation has taken a leaf from the Afghanistan men’s cricket team and stormed their way to the T20 world cup which begins on the 21st of Feb 2020.
Thailand begins its campaign for the world cup with 2 warm-up games against Bangladesh & New Zealand on the 16th & 19th Feb respectively and will play their first group stage match against the West Indies on the 22nd Feb.
Thailand Squad:
Sornnarin Tippoch (c), Nattaya Boochatham, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Phannita Maya, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Naruemol Chaiwai, Chanida Sutthiruang, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Soraya Lateh, Rosenanee Kanoh, Thipatcha Puttawong, Suleeporn Laomi, Natthakan Chantham, Suwanan Khiaoto
2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Thailand
Warm-ups
February 16: Thailand v Bangladesh
February 19: Thailand v New Zealand
Tournament
February 22: Thailand v West Indies
February 26: Thailand v England
February 28: Thailand v South Africa
March 03: Thailand v Pakistan
March 5: Semi-final 1, SCG
March 5: Semi-final 2, SCG
March 8: Final, MCG
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