Set to clash in Semi-Final 1 of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa eye their first title, while defending champions Australia chase their seventh. The match is scheduled for the 17th of October 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, starting 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, Ellyse Perry, Laura Wolvaardt, Tahlia McGrath, Phoebe Litchfield, Marizanne Kapp, Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Sophie Molineux
Keeper-batter:
Beth Mooney
The 30-year-old opening batter has amassed 2,958 runs from 99 T20I innings, at an impressive average of 39.44 and a strike rate of 123.09. Her record includes two centuries and 23 fifties, with the highest score of 117*. Beth has continued to perform notably in T20I cricket this year, accumulating 450 runs from 16 matches, averaging 37.50 and striking at 118.11. She has a remarkable average of 72.25 against South Africa and started this competition strong, with scores of 43* and 40 in her first two games. Her consistency with the bat makes her a must-have pick.
Batters:
Ellyse Perry
The 33-year-old all-rounder has accumulated 2,057 runs from 104 T20I innings, averaging 31.17 with a strike rate of 116.01. Additionally, she has taken 126 wickets from 136 bowling outings at an impressive economy rate of 5.83. Ellyse has had a notable year, scoring 320 runs from 15 T20I innings, with an average of 26.66, and she hasn’t bowled much. In the T20 World Cup, she has registered scores of 17, 30, 22*, and 32 in the league games and has yet to bowl. She’ll look to build on the starts she has had, making her a crucial pick.
Laura Wolvaardt
The 25-year-old opening batter has amassed 1,913 runs from 70 T20I innings, at an average of 36.09 and a strike rate of 115.10. Her impressive tally includes 12 fifties and one century, with the highest score of 102. Laura has had another consistent year in international cricket so far, averaging 42.38 and scoring 551 runs from 15 T20Is at a strike rate of 126.95. In this World Cup campaign, she has showcased her outstanding form with consecutive scores of 59*, 42, 40, and 7. As a reliable batter, she is a must-have pick for your Fantasy XI.
Tahlia McGrath
The 28-year-old all-rounder from 37 T20I outings has tallied 1,022 runs at an average of 40.88 and a strike rate of 132.38, and from 25 bowling innings has taken 18 wickets at an economy rate of 8.19. Following her scoring 435 runs at a strike rate of 145.00 in 2022 and 277 runs at a strike rate of 148.12, Tahlia has had a quiet year so far, scoring 224 runs from 13 T20I innings at a strike rate of 101.35, while also not bowling much. In this campaign, she didn’t have much to contribute, but in her most recent outing, she scored 32 runs and is a dependable pick.
Phoebe Litchfield
The 21-year-old top-order batter has posted 310 runs from 15 T20I innings, averaging 38.75 with a strike rate of 146.91, including the highest score of 64*. Phoebe has maintained an average of 35.16 this year in T20Is, amassing 211 runs from 12 innings at a strike rate of 127.10. Leading up to this World Cup, she notched her second T20I fifty, scoring 64* against New Zealand. In this ongoing campaign, she has recorded scores of 9*, 18, and 15*. After a slight dip in form, she seems to have found her footing and is eager to capitalize on her recent performances, pushing her as a solid pick.
All-rounders:
Marizanne Kapp
The 34-year-old all-rounder from 93 T20I innings has tallied 1,614 runs at a strike rate of 105.28, and from 97 bowling outings, she has taken 87 wickets at an economy rate of 5.51, with bests of 75 and 4/6. Marizanne has had an improved year in T20I cricket, registering both her career-best average of 32.58 and strike rate of 142.18, scoring 391 runs from 12 innings while also taking 10 wickets. In this campaign, she has delivered valuable cameos, scoring 26, 43, and 13*, while also claiming four wickets and maintaining her economical bowling. Her all-round contributions make her a valuable pick.
Ash Gardner
The 27-year-old all-rounder from 74 T20I innings has added 1,411 runs at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 127.69, and from 82 bowling outings has bagged 78 wickets at an economy rate of 6.53, with bests of 93 and 5/12. While Ash hasn’t scored many runs this year, she has bagged 19 wickets from 15 T20Is. In this World Cup, as well, she hasn’t had much to add with the bat, while with the ball she has returned figures of 1/14, 0/22, 4/21, and 1/32. She’ll want to get back amongst the runs while continuing her bowling form, making her a key pick.
Annabel Sutherland
The 23-year-old all-rounder from 16 T20I innings has added 133 runs at a strike rate of 140.00, and from 35 outings has struck 27 wickets at an economy rate of 6.50, with bests of 22* and 3/21. Annabel hasn’t been required much with the bat, while from 16 T20Is this year, she has struck 17 innings at an economy rate of 5.49. She has been outstanding in this World Cup campaign, particularly consistent with the ball, producing bowling figures of 0/8, 3/21, 2/15, and 2/22. Given her form and all-round abilities, she is a certain pick.
Georgia Wareham
The 25-year-old leg-spinner from 58 T20I outings has scalped 63 wickets, including the best of 3/12, maintaining an economy rate of 6.06, while also being handy with the bat, posting 245 runs from 22 innings, registering bests of 3/12 and 57. Georgia had a notable lead-up to the World Cup, scalping 15 wickets from 12 T20Is, and from 7 innings, posted 136 runs. Georgia experienced a dip in form in this campaign, departing for 3, 4, and 0, while returning figures of 1/21, 1/21, 2/16, and 0/22. She will want to step up her efforts, making her a rewarding pick.
Bowlers:
Megan Schutt
The 31-year-old pacer from 116 T20I bowling innings has secured 145 wickets, including the best of 5/15, maintaining an economy rate of 6.28. Megan wasn’t anywhere near her wicket-taking best in the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup, securing 7 wickets from 11 T20Is, and maximizing on this momentum has produced extraordinary bowling figures of 3/12, 3/3, 1/7, and 1/25 in the league games. Making the most of what the wicket has had to offer, Megan can contribute significantly to her team’s success, making her an essential pick.
Sophie Molineux
The 26-year-old left-arm off-spinner from 37 T20Is has claimed 41 wickets, including the best of 4/16, maintaining an economy rate of 5.77. On her return to international cricket earlier this year, following a long layoff, she claimed 15 wickets from 10 T20Is at an average of 14.00 and an economy rate of 5.38. She has carried this economical and effective form into this World Cup campaign, returning figures of 2/20, 2/15, 1/19, and 2/32. Though she hasn’t been required with the bat, she can be more than handy, making her a must-have pick.
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