Both Australia and New Zealand kicked off their 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup campaigns with commanding wins and are set to face-off in match no. 10 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, on the 8th of October, 2024, at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). Fantasy XI fans confused about player selections? We’ve sorted the best options based on statistics and form—let us help you!
Fantasy playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy, Suzie Bates, Tahlia McGrath, Melie Kerr, Ash Gardner, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Lea Tahuhu, Sophie Molineux
Keeper-batters:
Beth Mooney
The 30-year-old opening batter has accumulated 2901 runs from 96 T20Is at an impressive average of 40.29 and a strike rate of 124.49, including the highest score of 117*. Mooney’s reliability is highlighted by her exceptional averages; 56.12 in 2022, 41.00 in 2023, and 43.66 this year. Despite a challenging recent series against New Zealand, where she scored 13, 10, and 6, she bounced back in the World Cup campaign, notching a fifty in a warm-up game and a match-winning 43* in the season opener. Her ability to perform under pressure makes her an essential pick for any Fantasy XI.
Alyssa Healy
The 34-year-old opening batter has accumulated 2,991 runs in 141 T20I innings at an average of 25.13 and a strike rate of 129.48, with a personal best of 148*. In the recent T20I series against New Zealand, she scored 17, 38, and 27. In the World Cup warm-up matches, she managed 12 and 20 runs. Last year, she averaged 32.10 with a strike rate of 133.75. This year, she has played 12 innings, scoring 370 runs at an average of 33.63 and a strike rate of 136.02. With consistent performances, she remains a key player in the team.
Batters:
Suzie Bates
The 37-year-old opening batter has amassed 4,461 runs in 163 T20I appearances, averaging 29.54 with a strike rate of 109.01, and she has claimed 58 wickets in 88 innings at an economy rate of 6.59. Suzie has enjoyed a notable run this year, scoring 343 runs from 14 outings. In the recent series against Australia, she posted scores of 33, 34, and 19, followed by 27 runs in the tournament opener. With these steady performances, she’s primed to convert her starts into a substantial knock, making her a valuable asset for your Fantasy XI.
Tahlia McGrath
The 28-year-old batting all-rounder has notched up 981 runs in 35 T20I outings at an impressive average of 40.87 and a strike rate of 132.74. She has also picked up 17 wickets from 23 innings, with her best figures standing at 91* with the bat and 3/13 with the ball. While Tahlia hasn’t found much success in T20Is this year, she delivered a solid performance in the warm-up against England, scoring 31 runs and taking 3/18. Her all-round capabilities make her a potent option for Australia and a rewarding selection for your Fantasy XI.
All-rounders:
Melie Kerr
The 23-year-old all-rounder has played 62 T20I innings, accumulating 1,174 runs at a strike rate of 110.02 and has also taken 79 wickets from 78 outings, with an economy rate of 6.09, and T20I bests of 70* and 4/20. Melie has been in outstanding form for New Zealand this year; in the 3rd T20I against Australia, she scored 40 runs and followed up with 37 and 64* in the warm-up games, while also contributing consistently with the ball. She is a must-have for her all-round abilities.
Ash Gardner
The 27-year-old all-rounder has scored 1,392 runs in 71 T20I innings, at a strike rate of 128.17, and taken 73 wickets in 79 matches with an economy rate of 6.51. Her best performances include 93 with the bat and 5/12 with the ball. In the recent series against New Zealand, Ash registered scores of 18 and 33, alongside bowling figures of 3/16 and 1/27. She maintained her form in the warm-ups and scored 12 runs with figures of 1/14 (4) in the season opener.
Sophie Devine
The 35-year-old batting all-rounder has amassed 3,334 runs in 134 T20Is, with a strike rate of 121.94, and claimed 117 wickets from 119 innings, at an economy rate of 6.56, with best of 105 runs and 4/22. Sophie, managing her workload, hasn’t bowled much recently but registered scores of 35* and 24 in the warm-ups before hitting an unbeaten 57 in the season opener. She looks to extend this form, being an essential pick in the XI.
Georgia Wareham
The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder has taken 60 wickets in 55 T20Is, at an average of 16.06 and an economy rate of 6.11. With the bat, she has added 241 runs from 20 innings, striking at an impressive 146.06. After a successful stint in The Hundred, Georgia claimed 4 wickets and scored 26 twice in the T20I series against New Zealand. In this World Cup, she has been impactful with both bat and ball, making her a must-pick in your Fantasy XI given her current form.
Bowlers:
Megan Schutt
The 31-year-old pacer has taken 140 wickets from 113 T20I outings, with best figures of 5/15 and an economy rate of 6.36. While Megan hadn’t been particularly successful with wickets leading up to the T20 World Cup, she remained economical. However, she stepped up in the tournament opener, leading the wickets tally with an impressive 3/12 from her 4 overs. Her form makes her a solid pick for your Fantasy XI.
Lea Tahuhu
The 34-year-old pacer has claimed 91 wickets from 90 T20Is, with a best of 4/6 and an economy rate of 6.25, while also being a useful lower-order batter, striking at 111.21. Lea has been consistent this year and most recently, took two wickets against Australia and three more in the warm-up games. She continued her form in the tournament opener with figures of 3/15 from 4 overs. Her all-round capabilities make her a smart choice for your Fantasy XI.
Sophie Molineux
The 26-year-old left-arm off-spinner has picked up 36 wickets in 34 T20I outings, maintaining an economy rate of 5.80 and registering the best of 4/16, while also being handy with the bat. Since her return to the national team earlier this year, Sophie has taken 10 wickets from 7 T20Is. In the tournament opener, she delivered figures of 2/20 from her 4 overs. Her consistency makes her a dependable pick for your Fantasy XI.
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