Tri-Nation T20 Series, Match 1, India Women vs England Women: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

With less than a month left before the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup, the Tri-Nation T20 Series in Australia will be the last set of international practice matches for all three teams – Australia Women, India Women, and England Women.

India and England, the only two sides to have beaten Australia Women in a T20 International since the beginning of the 2018 T20 World Cup, will face each other in the tournament opener, at Canberra.

Having won the last 4 matches between the sides, there is little doubt that England are favourites here. If one ignores the defeats against Australia (1-2 in 2015, 1-2 in 2019), England Women have not a bilateral series since 2010.

In Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones, and Heather Knight, they have one of the most formidable top threes in the world, while Anya Shrubsole will lead a pack of bowlers that will feature the likes of Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone.

In Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma (and if needed, Rajeshwari Gayakwad), India have a superior spin attack, but the pace department has looked thin since the retirement of Jhulan Goswami from the format. Shikha Pandey had to bear most of the workload, as she will undoubtedly have to here as well. That is the most stark difference between the sides.

The batting looks sorted too, what with the inclusion of several young, aggressive top-order batters. Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, and uncapped Richa Ghosh are all teenagers, and all capable of big hitting.

Head to head

England Women hold an overwhelming 14-3 lead here including wins in the last 4 matches between the sides.

Likely XIs

India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav.

England Women: Amy Jones (wk), Danni Wyatt, Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Sarah Glenn, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross.

Key players

Radha Yadav (India Women): A year ago, Radha was perceived as the third of India’s spin triumvirate, but a superb show over the past year (average 13.19, economy 5.67) saw her rise to the second spot in ICC T20I rankings. She will be key here.

Danni Wyatt (England Women): One of only four batters with 4 T20I hundreds, Wyatt has an excellent record against India (average 35, strike rate 132). She will be a threat in the Powerplay overs.

Prediction

England Women to win.