Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: Warm-up preview – February 18

There are three practice matches involving some key teams scheduled for February 18. The matches will be played in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Australia vs South Africa at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Australia Women are currently in great form and coming to the World T20 as the champions of the Tri-Nation T20 tournament against India and England. Their first warm-up match against West Indies was abandoned but they should not be too worried as most of the players are in touch and playing constant cricket since Women’s BBL. They would still look to give chance to some of the irregular members in the team to claim their spot in the final eleven during the main tournament. South Africa, on the other hand, coming after a strong win against Sri Lankans in their first warm-up match. The fitness and batting of Marizanne Kapp would give them lots of comfort as also the bowling of Sune Luus who took four wickets. But the pair of ducks from the captain Dane van Niekerk and Lizelle Lee would concern them and they would also like to check the bowling ability of Kapp before going to the main tournament.

Key Players: Ellyse Perry (Australia), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

Prediction: Australia to win.

England vs Sri Lanka at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

The England squad is now in Australia for quite a long time. After a disappointing performance in the Tri-Nation series, they beat a strong New Zealand team comfortably in their first practice match. Against a relatively weaker Sri Lankan team, they would like to make a few more changes and experiment to ensure that they find their best combination before the main rounds. Sri Lanka Women did not have a good outing against South Africa Women in their first practice match. Still, they would take few positives in Udeshika Prabodhani’s 2/8 in four overs and Ama Kanchana’s 15-ball 24. They will see this match as another opportunity to get familiar with the pace and bounce of the wickets down under and like to provide a shock for England who beat them 3-0 last time.

Key Players: Heather Knights (England), Udeshika Prabodhini (Sri Lanka)

Prediction: England to get their second win in the warm-ups.

India vs West Indies at Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Both India and West Indies will come to this match after abandoned warm-up matches and this will be the last chance for the teams to fine tune their combination before the main tournament. India will be more confident because of their showing in the Tri-nation T20 tournament where they finished as runners-up. However, their lack of ability to perform in pressure matches still is a concern. Indians should have an upper hand against the Windies because of their recent 5-0 series. The young Shafali Verma announced herself to the world and India would hope their youngsters to be more confident before the World T20. West Indies will also hope for a much stronger showing in the World T20 as their captain Stafanie Taylor and all-rounder Deandra Dottin are back from injuries. The 2016 champions would like to have a strong showing in this match to give a strong message to all teams in the tournament.

Key Players: Smriti Mandhana (India), Deandra Dottin (West Indies)

Prediction: India to continue the winning run but West Indies to give a tough fight.