We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh
Five out of the last six T20Is at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh have been won by the teams defending. In the last three games, only four batters could get past the 50-run mark. Recent history also suggests that it hasn’t been a happy hunting venue for the spinners.
Time: 27 July, 7.00 PM IST
Probable XIs for Scotland & New Zealand
Probable XI for Scotland: Kyle Coetzer, Matthew Cross (wk), George Munsey, Callum Macleod, Richie Berrington (c), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Alasdair Evans, Hamza Tahir
Playing XI for New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Dane Cleaver (wk), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
Power Players for the Match
Martin Guptill could only muscle 60 runs, including two scores in twenties, in the three T20Is against Ireland. However, his overall white-ball form in 2022 and especially the numbers against Scotland are encouraging. When he last played against them in November 2021, he smashed 93 off 56 balls.
Just like he rattled the Netherlands, Lockie Ferguson will be itching to let it rip against Scotland as well. He has bagged 17 wickets in his last 10 T20Is, including the best figures of 5 for 21. He averages an impressive 13 in his relatively young T20I career.
Michael Bracewell has turned out to be a messiah for New Zealand lately, especially in white-ball cricket. He has already registered a couple of match-winning performances for his side. He scored 211 runs and took 5 wickets on the recent tour of Ireland.
Smart Picks for Scotland vs New Zealand, 1st T20I Match
Richie Berrington went through a lean patch (8 runs in 4 games) in the recently concluded ODI tri-series against Nepal and Namibia. However, he has the ability and the experience to turn it around and make a difference for his team.
James Neesham might not be a marquee name in fantasy leagues, but he often helps fantasy players nudge ahead with his all-round effort. In the series against Ireland, he added 53 runs and picked 2 wickets.
Hamza Tahir finished the tri-series with 9 wickets in 4 games, including the best figures of 4 for 26 against Nepal. For Scotland, he could be the go-to man for wickets, especially in the middle overs.
In 2021, Callum MacLeod could only accumulate 115 runs in 10 innings in T20Is. However, Scotland would hope that he can continue his recent purple patch with the bat. He has smashed 3 half-centuries in his last 4 ODIs.
Safyaan Sharif has a happy knack for picking wickets in white-ball cricket. He is not threteningly fast but uses his gentle variations to dismiss the batters. He took 8 wickets in the T20 World Cup last year. He also has a four-wicket haul at Edinburgh.
For a number of years, Ish Sodhi has been a smart operator in limited-overs cricket. In the recent tour of Ireland, he finished with 8 wickets, including the best figures of 3 for 21 in the second T20I.
New Zealand’s new recruit, Dane Cleaver, turned out to be the surprise package against Ireland. The wicketkeeper added 88 runs and inflicted 5 dismissals with the gloves.
Barring a knock of 48 and a solitary wicket in the final T20I against Ireland, Daryl Mitchell couldn’t impose himself much. That said, his recent form with the bat augurs well for his team and fantasy players.
Also Read:
Nellai vs Chepauk, Qualifier 1 Fantasy Cricket Tips
Match Preview for Scotland vs New Zealand, 1st T20I Match
Only 2 T20Is have taken place between both teams, and New Zealand have won both. Recently, the Kiwis also whitewashed the Netherlands in their own backyard and will be the favourites to extend their winning streak. On the other hand, Scotland will need to maintain a high intensity to compete with the tourists.
