FANTASY
Follow UsThe one-off Test between England and India Women was an action-packed one. Now the focus shifts to the limited-overs format as both sides are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is in the tour, starting with the ODIs. The last time both teams met was in the 2019 series in India, which India won.
Indian Women’s team has played 69 matches against England in ODIs with a win percentage of 44.8 percent. But, in the last five matches played, India have the edge over England with three wins.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall: Matches – 69 | ENG – 37 wins | IND – 30 wins | NR – 2
Last five matches: ENG – 2 wins | IND – 3 wins
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms, we have come up with one team.
GROUND AND TEAM COMBINATION
The first ODI will be played at the same venue that witnessed the one-off Test between the two sides. Since 2017, eight matches have been played at the Royal & Sun Alliance County Ground, Bristol and an average score of 245 has been scored in the first innings at this venue. Teams chasing have won five out of the eight matches.
There hasn’t been much difference when it comes to comparison between pace and spin. The pacers have a slight edge over spinners in terms of picking up wickets. Pacers have bagged 53.7 percent of the wickets as compared to 46.3 percent by spinners. The strike rate for pacers as well is slightly better than spinners. Five batters including the wicket-keeper, three all-rounders, and three bowlers should be the ideal combination.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
The dashing left-handed batter, a Ganguly-esque to be precise, Smriti Mandhana is hard to be left out as a captain’s choice. With the insane record that she has against England, leaving her out is certainly not an option. In the 10 innings, she has an average of 58.9, scoring six 50+ scores. Among batters who have played 10+ innings, only Lisa Keightley has bettered her (66.6). In addition, her away record is simply scintillating. In 16 away innings, Mandhana has an average of 70.
Our Criclytics player projections predict Mandhana could score 18-26 runs in the first ODI
X-FACTORS
An allrounder in a fantasy team always fetches points, either with the bat or the ball in hand. Natalie Sciver is one among those for sure. In 2019, Sciver scored close to 500 runs at an average of 43.5 and had bagged nine wickets at an average of 28.7. In 2020, she has played only three matches and has scored runs at an average of 48, and has five wickets to her name. With the ability to fetch points with both bat and ball, Sciver is one of our X-factors.
Our Criclytics player projections predict Sciver could score 19-29 runs and pick 0-1 wicket in the first ODI
It was the Sophie Ecclestone threat that led India to follow on in the one-off Test. The threat is not going to ease down in the ODIs as well. Her best performances in ODIs have come against India. In five matches, she has bagged 10 wickets at an average of 14.1 and a strike rate of 27.6. Her best ODI figures of 4/14 also came against India. This is why Ecclestone is one of our X-factors.
Our Criclytics player projections predict Ecclestone could pick 0-1 wicket in the first ODI
The skipper missed out on a valuable century in the Test match. But, Heather Knight wouldn’t want to miss out in the ODI’s, especially on the back of the form she is carrying. The last time Knight’s batting average dipped below 40 was in 2015. Since 2016, she has averaged over that in every year, her lowest was in 2018 (44). In the three matches this year, Knight has scored 135 runs at an average of 67.5.
Our Criclytics player projections predict Knight could score 24-36 runs in the first ODI
