Time: 20 Mar, 3.30 AM IST
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Pitch Report
Given the unusual ground dimensions, batters from both sides should enjoy their time in the middle. With rain predicted, we could see a curtailed game.
Teams
Probable XI for New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Frances Mackay, Katey Martin (wk), Brooke Halliday, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe
Probable XI for England: Danielle Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Ellen Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Charlotte Dean, Anya Shrubsole
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Tammy Beaumont is the leading run-scorer (183 at 45.75) for England in this World Cup. When these two teams last met in September 2021, she won the Player of the Match award for scoring 102.
Lea Tahuhu is the third-highest wicket-taker (9) in this edition. She has also taken the most wickets (92) for New Zealand against England in the ODIs.
Despite the loss, Sophie Devine was the star performer (93 runs and a wicket) for her side against South Africa. She has 87 scalps to her credit with the ball against England in ODIs.
Smart Picks
With 153 runs and 8 wickets in 5 games, Amelia Kerr has been consistently helping fantasy players accumulate useful points. She has been single-handedly winning games with both bat and ball for a while now.
Barring a 53* in the last game, Heather Knight hasn’t done much in this tournament. That said, she will have fond memories of playing New Zealand. The England skipper received the Player of the Series award for scoring 214 runs and taking 3 wickets against the White Ferns in September 2021.
Amy Satterthwaite has scored 151 runs and bagged 3 wickets in this tournament. The experienced all-rounder has amassed 1089 runs, including 2 hundreds and 7 fifties against England.
After scripting a thumping win against India with figures of 4 for 23, Charlotte Dean will be brimming with confidence.
Although Anya Shrubsole went wicketless in the first two games, she bounced back to pick 4 in her next two outings. Against India, she got the two crucial wickets of Mithali Raj and Yastika Bhatia.
Since scoring 79* against Bangladesh earlier in the competition, Suzie Bates hasn’t fired with the willow. In her last three matches, she has scored 5, 16, and 4. That said, her experience will come into play in this all-important tie against England.
Wicket-keepers Katey Martin and Amy Ellen Jones can add value to fantasy teams. While Martin has added 113 runs and inflicted 10 dismissals, Jones has scored 89 runs and taken 4 catches with the gloves.
Match Preview
Both teams have clashed 78 times in the ODIs, out of which England have won 40 and New Zealand 36. However, in the ongoing World Cup, England lost three consecutive matches before winning one against India. Meanwhile, the hosts too haven’t been consistent, winning only two games out of five. With the tournament heating up, both sides will feel the pressure.
