Time: Feb 18, 3.30AM IST
Venue: John Davies Oval, Queenstown
Pitch Report
Run-making hasn’t been very tough in Queenstown as the wicket has remained true for the entire 50 overs. The average score batting first is 272, as compared to the second innings average of 243. Out of 33 wickets to fall in the first two matches, 15 have belonged to the spinners.
Teams
Currently, New Zealand are on top of India. It’s tough to see them making multiple changes ahead of the third ODI.
Probable 11 for New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin (wk), Hayley Jensen, Lea Tahuhu/Frans Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair
Smriti Mandhana, Meghana Singh and Renuka Singh who missed the initial few games due to quarantine are now available for the rest of series.
Probable 11 for India: Sabbhineni Meghana, Shafali Verma/Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami/Simran Bahadur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
After getting 33 in the first ODI, Amelia Kerr slammed an unbeaten 119 in the second encounter. Kerr has also picked up a wicket each in both matches.
With two consecutive half-centuries, Mithali Raj is leading the run-scoring chart for India. Although both innings went in vain for her team, they fantasy players ahead in the game.
Deepti Sharma is enjoying bowling her off-spinners. She has already bagged 6 wickets in two matches, including a four-wicket haul in the last game.
Jess Kerr, who is relatively young in her international career, is the highest wicket-taker (5) for the hosts. She had also picked up 2 wickets in the one-off T20I.
Smart Picks
After scoring 116 in the opening ODI, Suzie Bates was dismissed for 16 in her previous appearance. Her last seven knocks against India read 57, 0, 36, 1, 42, 27, 59.
Although Sabbhineni Meghana missed out scoring in the first game, she responded with a steady 49 off 50 balls in the last ODI. Meghana is expected to open the batting once again.
Sophie Devine failed to pick even a single wicket during India’s last tour to New Zealand. She, however, has turned the tables this series, bagging three wickets. Not to forget that Devine has also chipped in with the bat (46 runs).
Richa Ghosh was India’s second-highest run-scorer (66) in the second ODI. She had the best strike-rate amongst the Indian batters.
After adding 63 off 67 balls in the first game, Amy Satterthwaite was dismissed for a duck. Please note that she had scored 168 runs when India visited New Zealand in 2018.
Match Prediction
Out of 50 matches played between the two nations, New Zealand have won 30 and India 19. The hosts are also leading the five-match series 2-0. The pressure is now on the tourists to restore some pride.
Fantasy Tip of the Day
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