Match Preview | M#1 | UAE v Scotland
Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 13-01-2022
Picture Courtesy: Cricket Queens
There is a buzz and for all the right reasons. It's time for the first-ever U-19 T20 World Cup to commence. We couldn't have had a better fixture to help us get underway with UAE & Scotland locking horns in Game 1. It promises to be a thriller as they are two sides with fairly equal strengths squaring up against each other in a bid to etch their name in the books of history as the first-ever winner.
VENUE - Willowmoore Park B, Benoni | TIME - 10:00 local/13:30 IST
There will be a total of 4 venues used for this tournament with 4 games on Day 1 being at Willowmoore Park which has 2 grounds that will be used. Generally, Benoni provides a belter of a wicket for the batters to munch on & we might just see that. One needs to be mindful that we are talking about U-19 cricket & hence, the scores will be on the lower side even on good batting decks. The team batting 1st should be able to breach the 100-mark which should be a good score for this game.
UAE: UAE enters the tournament with a high number of teens having already represented the senior side & they'd be looking to make that experience count.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR -
Samaira Dharnidharka: Samaira is an accurate new ball bowler who keeps the batters in check throughout her spell. However, it was her death-bowling in the warm-up game against USA that saw her take 4 wickets in the last over including a hat-trick.
Vaishnave Mahesh: Vaishnave made her senior debut for UAE at the age of just 12. The wrist spinner is an extremely talented bowler at such a young age and will ask questions to the Scottish batters to test their technique.
Theertha Satish: The UAE U-19 skipper has a massive role to play for her side. The LHB opener has been one of the best batters in T20I cricket at a young age & she is destined to go big in this tournament.
SCOTLAND: A talented bunch with individuals having had a major impact for the Wildcats in T20Is. This team is another team that people would take lightly, and I wouldn't recommend that.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR -
Katherine Fraser: The Scottish U-19 skipper is already one of the best spinners on the international circuit. She currently sits at 7th for the best bowling strike rate in T20Is & that is a feat and a half for someone so young. There's a promise - a promise that wouldn't fail you! The skipper is expected to bat higher up the order as well and will look to contribute in that facet too.
Darcey Carter: I first watched Darcey bat for the South East Stars Academy last year & it didn't take more than 5 balls to identify what she has got. The striking caught my attention straight away & that's exactly what the opener is going to do. Carter has already smashed a century in T20s in the vital Qualifiers against the Netherlands to play a part in booking the ticket for Scotland for this tournament, and there could be more to come at Benoni. Not to forget, that she will chip in with her off-spin as well if required.
Ailsa Lister: Another centurion from the same game as Darcey Carter in the Qualifiers and a right-handed batter who would be pairing up as an opener. The duo has cracked a 204-runs opening stand and I would be surprised if they can provide such vital opening stands to set the base. Lister has the power game & a knack for big knocks.
BATTLES TO WATCH OUT FOR:
1) Scotland openers vs. Samaira Dharnidharka - Samaira likes to keep it tight and is an impactful new ball bowler. The Scottish openers like to back away to hit their shots & are aggressive. It's going one way or the other, but promises to be a mouth-watering battle first-up.
2) Skipper vs. Skipper - We often talk about right-arm off spin to left-handed batters. Here's one for the match-up purists! One of the top spinners in T20I cricket - Katherine Fraser vs. One of the top batters in T20I cricket - Theertha Satish. The skippers will be batting it out in the powerplay itself and this battle should be fun to watch.