CWG 2022 | NZ-W vs SA-W | Preview, CREX 11

Tahuhu will hold the key for White Ferns

Journey of both the sides

New Zealand Women are gearing up for a promising start as they will clash with South Africa Women in their first Commonwealth Game 2022 encounter at Edgbaston.

New Zealand will be less prepared for the competition as their last international outing came in March during the 2022 Women’s World Cup. The White Ferns won their last T20 International against India by 18 runs in February.

Speaking of South Africa Women, they will be searching for some confidence on Saturday.

They were brutally decimated by England in the recently-concluded ODI and T20I series by 3-0.

Key Performers

• Laura Wolvaardt was the second-highest run-getter for South Africa in the T20Is against England. She accumulated 89 runs from three games at an average of 29.67.
• Suzie Bates is the top run-scorer for New Zealand Women in the shortest format of the game. The 34-year-old has hammered 3380 runs in 126 matches at an average of over 29.
• Sophie Devine is another White Ferns player to watch out for. She was the leading run-scorer for her team in the ODI World Cup earlier this year with 309 runs.

Match Details

Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham

Date & Time: July 30, 03:30 PM IST and 12:00 PM Local

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV app

Pitch Report: The pitch at the Edgbaston in Birmingham is conducive for batting. Records suggest that the team batting first will have greater chances of winning. Thus, winning the toss and opting to bat first should be the way forward for both teams. Anything above 170 can be considered a good score on the surface.

CREX 11 Suggestion

Wicket-keeper: Sinola Jafta

Batters: Maddy Green, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Lara Goodall

All-Rounders: Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr

Bowlers: Ayabonga Khaka, Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe

Captain: Sophie Devine

Vice-Captain: Laura Wolvaardt

Read: Rohit Sharma becomes the highest run-scorer in T20Is during India's win over West Indies