FANTASY
Follow UsNew Zealand take on Scotland in Match 32 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday (November 3). New Zealand go into this game at the back of an impressive performance against India, who they beat comfortably by eight wickets. Scotland, who started the tournament with three consecutive wins, have lost both their games in the Super 12s and need to pull off a victory to stay alive in the competition.
The two teams were set to clash in Edinburgh last year in a T20I but had to be called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the only T20I these two teams have played against each was in the World T20 2009 at The Oval, which the Blackcaps won by seven wickets.
Suggested team
The team we've picked has a good mix of world-class batters and bowlers. But remember, while you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing 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.
Ground details
As many as seven matches have been played in Dubai in the World Cup so far and all matches have been won by the chasing team. The average score batting first here has been a mere 126.
While the pacers have picked up over 57% of the wickets, the slow bowlers too have played a part. In fact, the spinners have conceded runs at just 6.2 runs per over, doing so at an average of 22.3 and strike-rate of 21.5. The corresponding numbers for the fast bowlers are 8, 28.1 and 21.5, an indication that the spinners do in fact have an upper hand at this venue.
Needless to say, the captain winning the toss would look to bowl first.
Captain selection
Ish Sodhi had an excellent day against India in the previous match. His figures of 2 for 17 earned him the player of the match and he will once again be crucial for New Zealand in this match. He has already picked up four wickets in two matches in the T20 World Cup so far at an economy rate of 5.62 and has struck once every 12 deliveries. Sodhi has been in excellent form for New Zealand this year, having picked up 21 T20I wickets from nine matches at 12.6 to go with an impressive strike-rate of 9.7. Overall, he has gone wicketless just once this year.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Sodhi could pick up 1-2 wickets in this match.
X-Factors
Josh Davey has been in excellent form this World Cup, having picked up nine wickets at 13.66 with balls per wicket ratio of 11.6. Only Shakib Al Hasan (11) and Wanindu Hasaranga (14) have picked up more wickets than him in this edition. He has been terrific especially at the death, where he has picked up six wickets at 6.7 along with a strike rate of 5.5 and a decent economy rate of 7.3. His experience will be crucial for Scotland once again in this game.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Davey could pick up 0-1 wickets in this match.
On slow tracks such as Dubai, Kane Williamson has to play a crucial role if New Zealand are to come out on top. He scored a patient unbeaten 33 against India in a low-scoring encounter and given that this could be another low-scoring encounter, the New Zealand captain could once again be called up to perform a similar role.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Williamson could score 22-32 runs in this match.
Richie Berrington is the only Scotland player to have scored over 100 runs in the T20 World Cup 2021. His 103 runs have come at an impressive strike-rate of 130.37. Berrington has been Scotland’s top performer with the bat in T20Is this year. In 2021, he has scored 373 runs at 53.29 and a strike-rate of 129. His knocks include three fifties in 10 innings. Occupying a crucial spot in the middle-order Berrington will be expected to steady the Scotland innings and set a good platform for them.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Berrington could score 14-22 runs and pick up 0-1 wickets in this match.