Zimbabwe’s multi-format tour of Thailand gets underway on the 19th of April with the 1st of 3 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at the Terdthai Cricket Ground (TCG) at 8:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Thailand plays the series on the back of a 4-0 ODI series win over the Netherlands from late last year, while Zimbabwe’s last ODI game had come back in 2021 and will be playing Thailand on the back of T20 action.
Squads:
Thailand – Naruemol Chaiwai (C), Nattaya Boochatham, Sornnarin Tippoch, Chanida Sutthiruang, Natthakan Chantam, Suleeporn Laomi, Rosenanee Kanoh, Phannita Maya, Banthida Leephattana, Nanthita Boonsukham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong
Zimbabwe – Mary-Anne Musonda (C), Josephine Nkomo, Kelis Ndhlovu, Ashley Ndiraya, Sharne Mayers, Modester Mupachikwa, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Pellagia Mujaji, Precious Marange, Christabel Chatonzwa, Novmelo Sibanda, Francesca Chipare, Audrey Mazvishaya, Loreen Tshuma, Loryn Phiri
Players to watch out:
Phannita Maya
The 18-year-old all-rounder in 11 Twenty20 International (T20I) innings with the bat has got to 61 runs and in 12 innings with the ball, has struck 6 scalps. In Thailand’s most recent bilateral series, against the Netherlands, Maya produced figures of 0/11 and 0/9.
Rosenanee Kanoh
The 23-year-old all-rounder in 18 T20Is has got to 87 runs and has also got a couple of wickets to her name. Batting in the lower middle order, Kanoh has been very handy and surely would have had more wickets, but was suspended from bowling citing illegal action by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Josephine Nkomo
The 25-year-old all-rounder in 33 T20Is has scored 334 runs at an average of 27.83 and has bagged 29 wickets at an economy rate of 4.42. Featuring in Zimbabwe’s domestic league, while Nkoma has registered scores of 63* and 46 with the bat, she looked on song with bowling figures of 1/11, 1/16, and 0/18.
Modester Mupachikwa
The 26-year-old keeper-batter in 34 T20I innings has scored 766 runs at an average of 29.46 and has got the highest score of 75*. In domestic games, Modester too had a good outing with a 92 against her name but has lacked consistency.
Pitch:
The Terdthai Cricket Ground isn’t a high-scoring venue as balanced tracks are dished more often than not. Bowlers, both spinners and pacers enjoy the track and it is the pacers who’ve bagged a majority of the total wickets at this venue.
Weather:
The temperature is forecasted at around 34°C and despite the overhead being partly cloudy, a complete game of cricket is expected. With humidity forecasted at 59%, light winds should bring some relief to the players.
Fantasy playing XI:
Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantam, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Naruemol Chaiwai, Mary-Anne Musonda, Sornnarin Tippoch, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Novmelo Sibanda, Nattaya Boochatham, Thipatcha Putthawong
Match details:
Date – April 19, 2023
Time – 8:30 AM IST
Venue – Terdthai Cricket Ground
Broadcast – All games of the bilateral series will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.