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Fantasy: Bank on the experience of Mooney, Ismail and Brits

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Last updated on 25 Feb 2023 | 11:44 AM
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Fantasy: Bank on the experience of Mooney, Ismail and Brits

Here are a few tips that could help you create your fantasy XI for the final between Australia Women and South Africa Women

South Africa started the tournament on the worst possible note, with a three-run loss against Sri Lanka but ever since, have turned a new page. That new page has seen them win against pre-tournament favourites, England and now await the Australian challenge. It isn’t a surprise to see Australia as the other finalist. 

In fact, Australia’s performance in this tournament hasn’t been the smoothest of journeys. If anything, the semi-final wins over India showed how even the best of teams could be put under the pump. South Africa would be aware of that fact but not everyday is a festive day. Australia would turn up in the most fearsome fashion for the final. 

Will South Africa turn up that way? Or will the crowd usher this team into a height never seen before in the country’s cricketing history? 

Ground details

Six out of the 11 wins here have been teams defending a total, and that’s really how Newlands has played thus far in the tournament. In fact, both the semi-final at the venue have been won by teams batting first. Given that it is a big final, there is a strong chance that both teams would want to bat first.

The average batting score in the first innings was 152. But across both the semi-final, a score of at least 165 has been a safe score. Given that it is the final, both teams would want to score 170. Spinners have an edge at the venue, with 57 wickets in comparison to the 52 taken by pacers. There’s a strong chance that Australia could bring back Alana King.

Suggested Team

While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captaincy Suggestions

For small leagues: Beth Mooney (capt), Tazmin Brits (vice-capt)

For grand leagues: Alyssa Healy (capt), Marizanne Kapp (vice-capt)

Stats that matter

-    Alyssa Healy has never clicked against the Proteas thus far across all WT20Is. In the four innings that she has faced, the right-hander has been twice dismissed by the Proteas’ pacer Shabnim Ismail and the left-arm spin of Chloe Tyron too has troubled her. 

-    Australia’s bowling unit is the best in the tournament, with an average of just 15, having picked up 39 wickets across all their games. They will up against South Africa, who don’t quite have good numbers with the bat. 

-    Tazmin Brits will be a key player for the Proteas side, with the right-hander being the second-best batter in the tournament thus far. Brits has scored 176 runs in the five innings that she has played, with an average of 44, including scoring two 50s. Against the Australian bowling unit, South Africa will require the best of Brits’ yet again. 

-    Ayabonga Khaka has been South Africa’s best bowler thus far in the competition, with seven wickets ahead of her skipper, Marizanne Kapp. Khaka’s average of 11.4 makes her quite a tough bowler to bat against. On the other side of things, it is Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner amongst the wickets for Australia, with nine each. It would be a battle of two bowling units. 

Grand League Punts

-    Why is Alyssa Healy a tricky punt? A risky punt? Well, as aforementioned, her record against the Proteas has been an abysmal one, with an average of just 7.75. That’s her worst against any opponent. But there is a strong chance that she will turn that fortune around in the final, given that she has never been dismissed in the powerplay this tournament. If her bat does start talking, a long night awaits South Africa. 

-    While all eyes would be on the likes of Tazmin Brits, Ayabonga Khaka and Shabnim Ismail, it could Marizanne Kapp’s opportunity to be the stand-out player for the Proteas. Kapp has picked up seven wickets in the tournament, and has also contributed with the bat. In case of top-order failure, it would boil down to how well Kapp contributes, both with the bat and the ball. 

Here are the top 10 Criclytics projection


Probable XI

Australia’s Probable XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

South Africa Probable XI: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabhonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

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