We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Australia Women vs New Zealand Women Semi-final
Thursday saw two low-scoring games. A day before, we had witnessed two scores above 140 runs. During all this, the conditions have been alike for pacers and spinners: some swing in the powerplay and some turn later on. To put things into perspective, the pitch at Edgbaston has ingredients for every role to prosper and has been creating even contests between the bat and ball.
Time: August 6, 10:30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs for Australia & New Zealand
Probable Playing XI for Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
Probable Playing XI for New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Izzy Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair, Fran Jonas
Also Read:
England Women vs India Women, CWG 2022, Semi-Final 1: Fantasy Cricket Tips
West Indies vs India, 4th T20I: Fantasy Cricket Tips
Power Players
Suzie Bates is the highest run-scorer of the Commonwealth Games, hammering 131 runs at a strike rate of 126. To add fuel to the fire, she is the top run-scorer in the T20Is between these teams: in 40 games, she has managed 969 runs at an average of 26.
Tahlia McGrath has gone unbeaten in four of her six T20I innings. Her lowest score reads 14, while the remaining scores are 42*, 44*, 91*, 70, and 78*. In addition to the fifty she smashed against Pakistan, she took 3 for 13 – her consecutive three-for in the Games. Phew.
Sophie Devine’s numbers against Australia are a joy for fantasy players. She has hit 454 runs at a strike rate of 109 and scalped 28 wickets in 29 T20Is. In the Games, she has collected 73 runs including the highest score of 48 and taken three wickets.
Smart Picks
In her last 10 white-ball matches, Beth Mooney has three fifties and two forties. Her top score of the Games is 70*, which came against Pakistan earlier this week. Against New Zealand, she has scored two fifties.
Amelia Kerr is the only New Zealand bowler who is yet to go wicketless in the Games. She has bagged four wickets and maintained an economy of just over six RPO. The batters have had to put a lot of effort to score runs off her leg-spinners.
Meg Lanning is the highest run-scorer for Australia against New Zealand: 615 runs including four fifties. She has a reputation for scoring big in knockout games.
New Zealand did not leave enough runs for Hayley Jensen to make an impact. She went wicketless against England, giving away only 11 runs in 2.4 overs. In the first two games, she had grabbed four wickets – of which three came inside the first six overs. Her overall economy reads 3.5 RPO, for which she has generated bonus fantasy points.
Ashleigh Gardner comes to Australia’s rescue in times of trouble. She will play a crucial role in a high-intensity game such as the semis. Her highest score reads 52* and has the best bowling figures of 2 for 6 in the Games.
In her last seven T20Is, Alana King has a four-wicket and two three-wicket hauls. She has been Australia’s best spinner in the format.
Alyssa Healy’s form has hit a downward spiral since her terrific performance in the 2020 T20 World Cup, but such is the nature of her game. She thrives on taking risks. The result can be a string of low scores, but her role is to attack right away.
Australia Women vs New Zealand Women Match Preview
Australia are clear favourites for the Gold medal in the Games. They have won all three games comprehensively and boast of a balanced team. New Zealand, on the other hand, have been victorious in two of three matches, but they have been relying heavily on a select few. The bulk of the unit has been ineffective.
The head-to-head numbers read 23-21 in the favour of Australia, but the pressure of semi-finals can get the better of any team.