The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup finalists, South Africa and New Zealand, will have one goal in mind: to finish one better when they go head-to-head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on the 20th of October 2024, at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). Both teams are eager to claim their first T20 title, with South Africa aiming to improve upon their runner-up finish from the previous year, while New Zealand, runners-up in 2009 and 2010, seek their third shot to glory. 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:
Izzy Gaze, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Suzie Bates, Marizanne Kapp, Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Eden Carson, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu
Keeper-batter:
Izzy Gaze
The 20-year-old middle-order batter, from 20 T20I innings, has added 214 runs, including the highest of 51*, striking at 105.94. Izzy has had some success with the senior national team this year, adding 163 runs from 15 T20I innings, striking at 115.60, and also registering her maiden T20I fifty, which she scored against England off 28 balls. She hasn’t had much to contribute to this World Cup campaign, but in her most recent outing, she added a valuable 20* runs. Her ability to deliver cameos makes her a good pick in the Fantasy XI.
Batters:
Laura Wolvaardt
The 25-year-old opening batter, from 71 T20I innings, has amassed 1955 runs at an average of 36.20, with a strike rate of 115.06, and has registered the highest score of 102, with one century and 12 fifties to her name. Laura has continued her consistent run this year, amassing 593 runs from 16 T20Is, averaging 42.35 and striking at 125.90. She has led the scoring again this season in the T20 World Cup, registering scores of 59*, 42, 40, 7, and 42. Given her form, she’ll look to sign off the campaign with another big knock, making her a must-have pick.
Tazmin Brits
The 33-year-old opening batter, from 59 T20I innings, has accumulated 1555 runs at an average of 32.39, with a strike rate of 106.07, and has recorded 13 fifties, with the highest score of 81. Tazmin has had her best year in international cricket, accumulating 517 runs from 17 T20Is, averaging 36.92 and striking at 111.18, showing improvement, especially in this campaign. She has registered scores of 57*, 13, 43, 42, and 15 in the World Cup, and looking to carry this momentum into the Final, she could be a solid pick.
Suzie Bates
The 37-year-old all-rounder, from 167 T20I outings, has piled on 4552 runs at an average of 29.36 and a strike rate of 108.43, while also taking 59 wickets from 89 innings, maintaining an economy rate of 6.58, with best figures of 124* and 4/26. Suzie was among the few players contributing with runs leading up to this World Cup campaign, and while she hasn’t yet built on that form, she has been making starts, registering scores of 27, 20, 17, 28, and 26, and also took a wicket in her only over. She’ll look to build on these starts, making her a key pick.
All-rounders:
Marizanne Kapp
The 33-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, from 93 innings, has posted 1614 runs, with the highest score of 75, striking at 105.28, while also scalping 88 wickets from 98 outings, maintaining an economy rate of 5.52. Marizanne has been a standout for the team this year, posting 391 runs from 13 T20Is, striking at 142.18, while also scalping 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.22. She has carried her outstanding form into this campaign, scoring important runs and returning bowling figures of 2/14, 1/17, 0/12, 1/10, and 1/24, making her a certain pick.
Melie Kerr
The 24-year-old all-rounder, from 66 T20I innings, has tallied 1253 runs at an average of 25.57 and a strike rate of 108.29, while also bagging 90 wickets from 82 outings at an economy rate of 6.02, with best figures of 70* and 4/20. Melie has carried her notable form from earlier this year into this campaign, producing bowling returns of 1/19, 4/26, 2/13, 3/14, and 2/14, alongside scores of 13, 29, 34*, 9, and 7. She’ll want to build on these scores with a big knock, while continuing her bowling form, making her a valuable pick in the XI.
Sophie Devine
The 35-year-old all-rounder, from 138 T20I outings, has racked up 3385 runs at an average of 28.44 and a strike rate of 121.15. From 120 innings, she has also taken 117 wickets at an economy rate of 6.58, with best figures of 105 and 4/22. Sophie wasn’t in her best form leading up to the World Cup; however, she managed a return to form in the campaign opener, scoring 57*, but has since departed for 7, 19, and 12 in subsequent games, while not bowling much. A big-match player, she can step up with another big score, making her a valuable pick.
Bowlers:
Nonkululeko Mlaba
The 24-year-old left-arm off-spinner, from 55 T20I outings, has picked up 48 wickets at an economy rate of 6.18, with the best of 4/29. Nonkululeko put behind her poor form—5 wickets in 8 T20Is—during this World Cup campaign with a career-best season. She stepped up her efforts, making the most of the conditions on offer, producing bowling figures of 4/29, 1/22, 3/12, 1/11, and 1/31, while maintaining an economy rate of 5.25. She’ll be looking to capitalize on this form, making her an essential pick in your XI.
Eden Carson
The 23-year-old right-arm off-spinner, from 29 T20I innings, has picked up 38 wickets, including the best of 3/18, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.31. Eden has had another good year in international cricket, picking up 15 wickets from 10 T20Is, averaging 16.80 and maintaining an economy rate of 7.20. She built on her success, returning figures of 2/34, 0/36, 1/19, 2/7, and 3/29 in this World Cup campaign. She has stepped up in crunch moments, producing breakthroughs, and in this form, remains a key pick.
Rosemary Mair
The 25-year-old pacer, from 28 T20I innings, has claimed 25 wickets, including the best of 4/19, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.38. Rosemary returned to the national team earlier this year, and following a brief yet notable return, she was sidelined from the subsequent tour due to injury. Upon her return during a bilateral series against Australia, she impressed with an economical return, and has finished with bowling figures of 4/19, 2/22, 0/17, 1/18, and 0/16 in this World Cup campaign, making her a rewarding pick in your XI.
Lea Tahuhu
The 34-year-old pacer, from 94 T20I innings, has secured 93 wickets, including the best of 4/6, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.33. Lea has been consistent with her returns; although wicketless in a few outings, she has managed to take key wickets and keep her economy rate in check. Similarly, her bowling returns from this World Cup campaign read 3/15, 0/22, 0/15, 1/8, and 1/33. The seasoned pacer has been in great rhythm, particularly in this campaign, and looking to carry this momentum into the Final, leading the tally, is a reliable pick.
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