South Africa Women vs Australia Women, ICCW T20 WC 2023, Today Match Prediction 18 February 2023

rsaw vs ausw Match Prediction & Analysis

Australia Women will play their last group stage match against South Africa at St George’s Park. This will be their third consecutive match at this venue. A win here will seal the semi-final spot for the Aussies. Whereas, South Africa Women would go to number 2 in the points table with a win here.

The hosts will play Bangladesh in their last group-stage match and they will back themselves to win that game. As a result, the Proteas are likely to finish with at least 4 points. And while that may still give them a chance to reach the semis, it definitely doesn’t guarantee it.

Sune Luus needs to put her best foot forward as she leads her team against unbeaten Australia in a crucial encounter in Gqeberha. Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon will be the key players for South Africa in this match. Australia’s in-form top-order and consistent bowling attack will make things difficult for the hosts.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Women Preview

Sune Luus will be hopeful after a brilliant win over New Zealand where the bowlers completely destroyed the Kiwis. Chloe Tryon was the star of the match with 40 off 34 at number 5 followed by a brilliant spell of 2 for 12 from 3 overs.

Along with the skipper and another bowling all-rounder Marizzane Kapp, Tryon plays a key role in the middle order. Like the opposition, South Africa also has a good number of all-rounders in the squad and that should give them the required power to go against the mighty Aussies.

Laura Wolvaardt hasn’t looked in great touch at the top and that will be a major concern going ahead. Her form has a big impact on the teams’ performance.

Neither of the two openers has managed to play an impactful innings so far. The good news for South Africa is the depth in their batting lineup. Kapp, Lulus, and Tryon are reliable in the middle. Batting all-rounder Nadine de Klerk and wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta will be in the finisher’s role.

Though they haven’t delivered any impactful performances so far, they have the potential and can score some crucial runs at the death. In addition to the all-rounders, Mlaba and Shabnam Ismail will be the key bowlers in the South African lineup.

South Africa Women Predicted Playing XI:

Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

South Africa Women Actual Playing XI:

Masabata Klaas, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Tazmin Brits, Delmi Tucker, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta

Australia Women Preview

Australia are well placed in the points table to make it to the semis. Looking at their current form, it looks highly likely that they would finish at the top. The opposition has a promising overall squad but Australians with their variety of match-winning players in the squad are way too good for any team in this tournament.

While Alyssa Healy continues her good form at the top with her second fifty in three matches, her opening partner Beth Mooney has also found her rhythm. The lead pacer in the Australian camp, Megan Schutt is also in her best form and that is great news for Australia going ahead in the tournament. 

The likes of Darcy Brown, Gardner, and Wareham have also made significant contributions with the ball. The best part of this side is that there’s always someone new who steps up and makes a big impact in every game.

Gardener against New Zealand, Wareham against Bangladesh, and now Grace Harris made her mark against Sri Lanka.

Australia’s batting lineup is not only deep but also consistent. Even if they suffer a few early blows, there are many experienced and talented players throughout the lineup who can help the team bounce back. Meg Lanning, Ellyyse Perry, and Ashleigh Gardner are the key batters to watch out for in this side. 

Australia Women Predicted Playing XI:

Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

Australia Women Actual Playing XI:

Meg Lanning, Grace Harris, Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Alana King, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is known to assist the spinners and isn’t particularly batting-friendly. However, Australia Women have played a couple of matches here and will have the advantage of having adapted to the conditions. Thundershowers are expected on the match day with a high of 23 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

St. George’s Park in Gqeberha is the venue for this match. The average 1st innings score in the Women’s T20Is is 109 runs while that in the men’s T20Is is 132. It will not be easy to score runs right off the bat and players need to be patient to build a good enough total on this ground. Something around 140-150 should be a competitive score for the team batting first.

Toss: To Bowl

So far there have been only two women’s T20Is at this venue and Australia won both of them batting second. It doesn’t look like a high-scoring venue particularly and a team with a strong and consistent bowling attack can gain the advantage bowling first.