Time: 5 Mar, 6.30 AM IST
Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
Pitch Report
The chasing team has won the last five matches at Hamilton. There is also a threat of rain forecast for this clash. Therefore, history and weather might compel the captain winning the toss to bowl first.
Teams
Probable XI for Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Amanda Wellington
Probable XI for England: Lauren Winfield Hill, Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Ellen Jones (wk), Danielle Wyatt, Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlotte Dean/Natasha Farrant
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
As far as contemporary Australian cricketers are concerned, Ellyse Perry is the leading run-scorer (833 at 41.65) and wicket-taker (39) against England. Her dual role is likely to reward fantasy players.
England will bank on Natalie Sciver’s batting exploits. Not only did she add 99 in three innings against Australia recently but also ended up with scores of 33* and 108 in the warm-up matches.
Tahlia McGrath finished as the highest wicket-taker (6 in 3 games) in the England ODIs. In addition to her bowling skills, she is also known for adding valuable runs down the order.
In her previous 9 matches against England, Alyssa Healy has inflicted 10 dismissals behind the stumps and scored 380 runs. More of the same is expected from the experienced cricketer going forward.
163 wickets at 23.06 with an impressive economy of 3.51 is a testimony to Katherine Brunt’s bowling credentials. In her previous ODI against Australia, she finished with 3 for 40.
Smart Picks
Meg Lanning remained unbeaten on 57 in her last ODI against England and also looked in decent touch in the practice games.
Jess Jonassen’s spin bowling has been yielding the desired results for Australia lately. She has bagged 9 wickets in her last five appearances.
England will rely on potential openers Lauren Winfield Hill and Tammy Beaumont for a steady start. The duo scored 143 runs between them in the two warm-up games.
Heather Knight has all the experience of playing on the big stage. Handy fantasy points with both bat and ball can be expected from the England skipper.
Before getting 55 and 22 in the warm-up games, Beth Mooney also scored 73 in the first ODI against England in Adelaide, for which she was awarded the Player of the Match.
Match Preview
Not only does Australia have a better head-to-head record (54-22) against England but have also won the last five ODIs against them. That said, England are the defending champions and have got off to a good start by winning both their warm-up games.