Match Preview | ENG v SA | 1st T20I | Chelmsford


Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 21-07-2022

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

Time for the T20Is to get underway with the first game at Chelmsford between teams with contrasting confidence in white-ball cricket. The poor workload management could see South Africa taking another risk with Marizanne Kapp as it's the first game of the series. The good news for them is that they have been bolstered by the addition of Mignon du Preez. But, filling up the void left by Lizelle Lee will see a new opener partnering up with Laura Wolvaardt. An aggressive move could see one of Chloe Tyron or Sune Luus open, but a conservative move could see them open with Lara Goodall or Anneke Bosch.

England are a confident team with additions of players from the recently concluded Charlotte Edwards Cup. The likes of Bryony Smith, Freya Kemp, & Sarah Glenn have been in top form. Whereas, Alice Capsey was back amongst runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Freya Davies might get the nod ahead of the other hopefuls as she has been on the bench for a while & England would be wanting to give her some game time. England are one win away from winning this multi-format series.

PROBABLE XIs:

England: Bryony Smith, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver, Heather Knight (c), Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones (wk), Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Issy Wong, Freya Davies

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt, Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Tumi SekhukhuneAyabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

VENUE: County Ground, Chelmsford

The home ground of Essex where the pitches are tailormade for the swing bowlers & primary spinner to succeed. Expect a fresh track to be rolled out where there will be swing on offer. The last 3 D/N games saw the teams batting first score: 244/7, 198/7, 254/5. So, one can expect plenty of runs to be on offer after the initial phase.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Bryony Smith: The aggressive opener has been doing well for several years & finds her back in the T20I side after 4 years. She is a great value-addition to the side as she bowls crafty off-spin.

Sophie Ecclestone: Ecclestone should enjoy bowling at this venue. She is not a massive spinner of the ball and that's exactly what will be required at Chelmsford.

Heather Knight: This pitch should favor Heather Knight's style of batting. She got a good time in the middle in the last ODI and would be looking to polish the scratches in this game.

Chloe Tryon: Chloe Tryon will most likely be South Africa's key player in this series. She's the only player in this side who can clear the ropes effortlessly and will also chip in with a couple of overs against a team flooded with RHBs.


Match Preview | ENG v SA | 1st T20I | Chelmsford


Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 21-07-2022

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

Time for the T20Is to get underway with the first game at Chelmsford between teams with contrasting confidence in white-ball cricket. The poor workload management could see South Africa taking another risk with Marizanne Kapp as it's the first game of the series. The good news for them is that they have been bolstered by the addition of Mignon du Preez. But, filling up the void left by Lizelle Lee will see a new opener partnering up with Laura Wolvaardt. An aggressive move could see one of Chloe Tyron or Sune Luus open, but a conservative move could see them open with Lara Goodall or Anneke Bosch.

England are a confident team with additions of players from the recently concluded Charlotte Edwards Cup. The likes of Bryony Smith, Freya Kemp, & Sarah Glenn have been in top form. Whereas, Alice Capsey was back amongst runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Freya Davies might get the nod ahead of the other hopefuls as she has been on the bench for a while & England would be wanting to give her some game time. England are one win away from winning this multi-format series.

PROBABLE XIs:

England: Bryony Smith, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver, Heather Knight (c), Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones (wk), Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Issy Wong, Freya Davies

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt, Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Tumi SekhukhuneAyabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

VENUE: County Ground, Chelmsford

The home ground of Essex where the pitches are tailormade for the swing bowlers & primary spinner to succeed. Expect a fresh track to be rolled out where there will be swing on offer. The last 3 D/N games saw the teams batting first score: 244/7, 198/7, 254/5. So, one can expect plenty of runs to be on offer after the initial phase.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Bryony Smith: The aggressive opener has been doing well for several years & finds her back in the T20I side after 4 years. She is a great value-addition to the side as she bowls crafty off-spin.

Sophie Ecclestone: Ecclestone should enjoy bowling at this venue. She is not a massive spinner of the ball and that's exactly what will be required at Chelmsford.

Heather Knight: This pitch should favor Heather Knight's style of batting. She got a good time in the middle in the last ODI and would be looking to polish the scratches in this game.

Chloe Tryon: Chloe Tryon will most likely be South Africa's key player in this series. She's the only player in this side who can clear the ropes effortlessly and will also chip in with a couple of overs against a team flooded with RHBs.