We help you pick your fantasy team for the upcoming game between New Zealand and Bangladesh in ICC Women’s World T20 (4:33)
February 29: Bangladesh v New Zealand at the Junction Oval, Melbourne
Our XI: Rachel Priest, Nigar Sultana, Maddy Green, Fargana Hoque, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Rosemary Mair, Leigh Kasperek
Captain: Sophie Devine
Devine had a quiet game against India but that has to be a one-off. The 14 in that match was her first score below fifty in the last 7 T20Is. So you should back her to get back into business in this game.
Vice Captain: Amelia Kerr
Kerr has been a quiet performer for NZ. She has picked up 9 wickets in her last 6 T20Is and her batting prowess was on view in a 19-ball unbeaten 34 against India that narrowly went in vain. Her leg spin could be quite hard to handle for Bangladesh. With 32 wickets, she is now the 3rd highest wicket taker among all New Zealand spinners in T20Is.
Hot Picks
Salma Khatun
Khatun was the only wicket taker for Bangladesh in the game against Australia. She picked up 2 wickets against India as well. More than 80% of her wickets have come against the right-handers and the NZ line-up is filled with right-handers. She is a Bangladesh player you don’t want to leave out.
Suzie Bates
Bates has had an ordinary tournament so far but you should back the experienced players to fire in big games. Her highest score in her last 5 T20Is is 47*, so she is due. Don’t forget, she can also bowl a bit, if needed.
Value Picks
Maddy Green
Green is a powerful hitter who bats at No.4. She has had a couple of decent knocks in the tournament so far – 29 against Sri Lanka and 24 against India. The 53 runs have come at a strike-rate of over 123 and that suggests she is capable of scoring very quickly.
Leigh Kasperek
Kasperek has gone at 6 an over in the two games so far. Her career economy in T20Is is 6.11, so she is doing marginally better. She is someone Bangladesh will look to score against and that gives her a high chance of picking up wickets. Her strike-rate in the format is 13.4.
Fargana Hoque
Hoque is fresh off a fluent 36 against Australia. She is also the highest run getter for her country in T20Is with 985 runs.
Points to note
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New Zealand’s average 1st innings score in T20Is since the start of 2018 is 154. In the same time frame, they have batted first on 14 occasions and won 8 games.
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Teams batting first have won 3 out of 8 at the Junction Oval.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo