Published: Feb 14, 2017, 09:45 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 14, 2017, 09:40 AM (IST)
India women under the leadership of Mithali Raj in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 have been unstoppable. They have been spot-on across departments. Batswomen have accumulated runs with ease, while the bowlers have repeatedly skittled out opponents cheaply. India enters the Super Six stage to take on a team of equal dominance — South Africa. Much like India, South Africa also arrive at this stage unbeaten making this affair the clash of the titans, quite literally. This will be a crucial game for both sides at the P Sara Oval stadium as they attempt to qualify for the main tournament. ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017: BAN, IRE, PAK, SL, IND and SA to feature in Super Six
Final match of the group stage was no different for both teams, where Poonam Yadav’s leg breaks put a hold on Zimbabwe women’s journey. Whereas, Yolani Fourie and Sune Luuz good show ensured South Africa an easy win over Papua New Guinea. Chasing mere 60 to win, India women displayed dominance and reached their target in 9 overs. South Africa Women, on the other hand, were asked to chase 77 that their openers’ alone accumulated. Both sides finished on top of their respective groups, to fix this marquee clash en-route the final.
The result of this fixture will completely depend upon how Yadav and Shabnim Ismail perform for their respective sides. India’s Yadav to her name has 10 wickets, while South Africa’s Ismail has claimed 8 victims. India, in their progress have Rajeshwari Gayaakwad and Ekta Bisht too accompany the cunning Yadav. India post dominant victory over Zimbabwe in ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017
South Africa will bring in their pace-women in Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, who were rested for the PNG tie to provided much-needed speed to their attack. Meanwhile, India will need to be at their supreme best in fielding, which sadly was not the case against Zimbabwe, where they were sloppy and inattentive.
There are no worries in the batting department for both teams. While India have Deepti Sharma and Thirush Kamini are in the top 10 run–scorers list, South Africa rely heavily on Chloe Tryon and Laura Wolvaardt. India have experience in Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy that is opposed by South Africa commanding middle order in Trisha Shetty, Mignon du Press and Moseline Daniels.
Squads:
India: Mithali Raj (c), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Thirush Kamini, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Sushma Verma (wk), Soni Yadav, Mansi Joshi.
South Africa: Dane van Niekerk (c), Trisha Chetty (wk), Moseline Daniels, Mignon du Preez, Yolani Fourie, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Marcia Letsoalo, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee.
TIME: 10:00 am IST | 4:30 am GMT
