Following their winning start to this campaign, India will face South Africa, who lost their first warm-up game, in the 10th and final match of the ongoing warm-up series ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled from October 3 to 20. The two teams will meet at the ICC Academy Ground, Dubai, on the 1st of October 2024, with live action commencing at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
South Africa –
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon
India –
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
Players to watch out:
Anneke Bosch –
The 31-year-old all-rounder from 33 T20I innings has accumulated 755 runs, at an average of 26.96, a strike rate of 109.10, and taken 8 wickets at an economy rate of 7.36. Anneke, in the recent series against Pakistan, registered consecutive scores of 24 and 46*, and while she departed for 5 in the first warm-up game, the seasoned batter can be relied upon to lead the scoring.
Ayabonga Khaka –
The 32-year-old pacer from 61 T20I innings has picked up 50 wickets at an economy rate of 6.72 and registered the best of 4/23. Ayabonga hasn’t been among the wickets of late; however, she has kept her economy rate in check on most occasions. Nonetheless, South Africa would want their premier pacer to find her rhythm and be at her wicket-taking best.
Yastika Bhatia –
The 23-year-old keeper-batter from 14 T20I outings has accumulated 214 runs, including the highest score of 36. Yastika, in her only game on the tour of Bangladesh, scored a fine 36 but was ruled out of action due to an injury, missing the subsequent games and the Asia Cup. Upon her return, in the 1st warm-up, she stepped up with a gritty 24 and will hopefully build on this start.
Arundhati Reddy –
The 27-year-old pacer from 28 T20Is has scalped 21 wickets, including the best of 2/19, maintaining an economy rate of 7.92, and is more than handy with the bat. Arundhati has been in notable form of late, producing breakthroughs, scalping 3 wickets in her previous 3 T20Is, and making an economical return in the 1st warm-up. She can be counted on for the goods.
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 140s can be deemed a competitive total on this wicket.
Weather:
With moderate winds, humidity at 49%, and the temperature expected to hover around 34°C, the conditions are pleasant for cricket. Moreover, the forecast indicates clear skies with a minimal possibility of rain.
Fantasy playing XI:
Yastika Bhatia, Laura Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana, Suné Luus, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Deepti Sharma, Chloé Tryon, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav
Match details:
Date – October 1, 2024
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – ICC Academy Ground, Dubai
Broadcast – Access live scores on the ICC match portal.