ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Match 16, England vs West Indies: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Match 16, England vs West Indies: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

Danni Wyatt England West Indies Women

Comfortable wins against Pakistan and Thailand helped England Women bounce back strongly after their defeat against South Africa: they will now face West Indies Women, who have beaten Thailand but lost to Pakistan, at the Sydney Showground. A win here will assure England a place in the top four, while West Indies will be as good as knocked out if they lose.

England’s win against Pakistan was set up by a 47-ball 62 by Heather Knight, with support from Nat Sciver (36 in 29). They put up 158/7 before their Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-12-2) and Sarah Glenn (4-0-15-3), their spin twins, ran through Pakistan in the middle overs. Anya Shrubsole returned 4-0-25-3 as well as Pakistan were bowled out for 116.

West Indies, on the other hand, had problems scoring runs off Pakistan. Stafanie Taylor (43 in 47) and Shemaine Campbelle (43 in 36) lifted them from 28/3, but neither batter could force the pace as they finished on 124/7. Pakistan won by 8 wickets in the 19th over.

Expect a repeat here as well, more so because England have a stronger bowling attack than Pakistan.

Head to head

History is one aspect that favours West Indies: they lead 8 matches to 7.

Key players

Sarah Glenn (England Women): She is only 20, but Glenn (12-0-52-4) has demonstrated the fuss around her as been about, keeping up with her senior spin partner Sophie Ecclestone.

Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women): Taylor has most runs (69, once dismissed, strike rate 82) and wickets (6.2-0-33-4) for West Indies. However, that may not suffice against England, where she will need to raise the bar even further to help West Indies win.

Likely XIs

England Women: Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver, Heather Knight (c), Fran Wilson, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Lauren Winfield, Sophie Ecclestone, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Glenn.

West Indies Women: Hayley Matthews, Lee-Ann Kirby, Stafanie Taylor (c), Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell, Anisa Mohammed, Shakera Selman.

Prediction

England to win comfortably.