Fantasy Preview | England vs South Africa | Only Test Match
Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 26-06-2022
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
South Africa are back in the whites after nearly 9 years. The last time they played England in a Test match was nearly 19 years ago & the match was played at the same venue as tomorrow's Test. While England have had plenty of Test matches since the Proteas played their last Test, it's the Proteas that look like the favorites to clinch the only Test.
England will be without the services of two of their best pacers in Anya Shrubsole (retired) & Katherine Brunt (retired from Tests). Their pace attack faces their first major test without these big guns & it will be a daunting task to bowl to some of the South African batters who have a resolute technique.
England's pace attack will be led by Kate Cross and supported by Lauren Bell & one of Freya Davies or Issy Wong. Whereas, watching South African pace attack will be as exciting as it gets as it will comprise of Marizanne Kapp, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Nadine de Klerk.
VENUE: Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
This venue is notorious from what I have observed. Taunton produces two kinds of pitches. One where the movement is minimal, & the other one where the ball does a lot. It will be safe to assume that it will be a fresh pitch used for this game, but how much grass is left on the pitch remains to be seen. However, the last Women's Test at this venue came back in 2019 when the spinners got a total of 21 wickets and the pacers only got 4 wickets.
With more quality pacers on show than spinners, the pacers shall be backed to do more damage, irrespective of the pitch.
ENGLAND:
Heather Knight - Nat Sciver - Amy Jones (wk) - Kate Cross - Sophie Ecclestone - Lauren Bell
SOUTH AFRICA:
Marizanne Kapp - Laura Wolvaardt - Sune Luus - Nadine de Klerk - Lizelle Lee
C/Vc picks:
Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt, Nat Sciver, Heather Knight