The ICC Academy Ground, Dubai, will host the high-octane clash featuring Australia and England in match no. 5 of the ongoing warm-up series leading up to the 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled from October 3 to 20. The game gets underway at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 29th of September 2024.
Squads:
Australia – Alyssa Healy (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
England – Heather Knight (C), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (WK), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Bess Heath
Players to watch out:
Grace Harris
The 31-year-old all-rounder, from 29 T20I outings, has accumulated 474 runs at an average of 22.57, a strike rate of 164.01, and registered the highest score of 64*. Grace registered scores of 47 and 19 in her recent campaign in March against Bangladesh and missed the home series against New Zealand due to a minor injury. She can be relied upon for important cameos.
Annabel Sutherland
The 22-year-old, in T20Is, has added 121 runs from 14 innings at a strike rate of 140.69 and picked up 20 wickets from 31 outings at an economy rate of 6.79. Annabel has been in outstanding form of late, and following a successful stint in The Hundred, she registered figures of 1/18, 1/18, and 2/23 in the series against New Zealand. She’ll be banked upon for all-round efforts.
Sophia Dunkley
The 26-year-old top-order batter, from 46 T20I innings, has amassed 862 runs at an average of 22.68, a strike rate of 117.59, and registered the highest score of 61*. Sophia has been among the runs this year, and in her recent T20I outings, she registered scores of 35 and 26. She should be backed to find her footing early in this competition as she is capable of leading the scoring.
Linsey Smith
The 29-year-old left-arm off-spinner, from 13 T20I innings, has scalped 15 wickets, including the best of 3/18, maintaining an economy rate of 6.44. On the back of consistent performances over the years in domestic cricket, Linsey returned to the national side earlier this year for the first time since 2019. The seasoned spinner can be counted on for breakthroughs.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at the ICC Academy Ground provide a somewhat neutral playing field, as the conditions are advantageous to both batters and bowlers. Pacers, in particular, benefit from the conditions, and a score in the 160s can be deemed a competitive total on this wicket.
Weather:
With moderate winds, humidity at 53%, and the temperature expected to be around 34°C, the conditions are favorable, with no rain on the radar. The overhead will be clear, promising a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Phoebe Litchfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Dani Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Sophie Molineux, Charlie Dean
Match details:
Date – September 29, 2024
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – ICC Academy Ground, Dubai
Broadcast – Access live scores on the ICC match portal.