The official Tournament contest fantasy for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 is split into a total of seven rounds. The first five rounds will be covering the 20 group stage matches. Each round consist of four matches apiece and 8 out of 10 teams will appear in each round.
The 6th round is for the semi-finals and the 7th round is for the grand finale. Unlimited changes can be made before the deadline for the 1st, 6th and 7th rounds. A maximum of three free trades can be made before the remaining four rounds. Free trades limit can be exceeded at the cost of 10 points for each trade.
Here is our guide for the first round of Classic Fantasy for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020:
Round 1 schedule – Pakistan Women and Bangladesh Women don’t have a game in this round but all the remaining eight teams play one match apiece.
Wicket-Keepers:
Suggestions – Taniya Bhatia
Options – Lizelle Lee, Alyssa Healy
Economical Picks – Trisha Chetty
Alyssa Healy, who is the highest-priced wicketkeeper, is going through woeful form after enjoying success with the bat for 2 years. She aggregated 15 runs in the recent T20I Tri-series and also registered low scores in warm-up matches. This makes her a risky option despite being the Player of the tournament during the last edition. In this case, Taniya Bhatia becomes a smart pick due to the frequency at which she affects dismissals in the shorter format.
She holds the world record for most consecutive T20Is (12 matches) as a keeper with at least one dismissal. Her T20I records suggest she is likely to affect a stumping at an average of 1 per match and at least one catch every two games. On good days, she is likely to fetch 30 points at an average which is quite impressive for a player in keeper’s category that too at the cost of just 5.5 credits.
Batters:
Suggestions – Smriti Mandhana, Beth Mooney, Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont
Alternatives – Danielle Wyatt, Jemimah Rodrigues, Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning
Economical Picks – Fran Wilson, Naruemol Chaiwai, Shafali Verma, Maddy Green
Smriti Mandhana is likely to be top batter for this round not only due to her recent form but also due to her impressive record against Australia whom they face in the tournament opener. Mandhana’s last 4 T20I scores against Australia Women read – 66, 55, 35 and 83. The top-order of England doesn’t have a promising record against South Africa Women and are likely to struggle on a bouncy WACA pitch against their pacers.
Tammy Beaumont could be a useful option given her recent success in the middle-order. Beth Mooney, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma can be picked if one wants to use the Super Fours for the opening match between India and Australia. Meg Lanning also can be fitted if Super Fours free-hit is used for the game despite her recent form and not so great record against India.
All-Rounders:
Suggestions – Sophie Devine, Natalie Sciver, Hayley Matthews
Alternatives – Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Ellyse Perry
Economical Picks – Chanida Sutthiruang, Amelia Kerr
Sophie Devine is in impressive form going into the tournament as she struck seven fifties in her last 8 T20I innings. She has been consistent at taking wickets at the same time. Hence, Devine will be perfect as captain and Star Skipper Free-hit can be used for the match involving her. An alternative for this will be Natalie Sciver who is batting in top four and bowling her four overs.
Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews will become must if West Indies bats first as the duo is likely to bat in the top three. Thailand’s Chanida Sutthiruang showed the quality of her game during the warm-up against New Zealand where she picked up a couple of wickets and also scored a quick 30+. Ellyse Perry could well be over budget pick since she doesn’t bat higher and mostly relies on the swing for wickets.
Bowlers:
Suggestions – Ayabonga Khaka, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Afy Fletcher
Alternatives – Megan Schutt, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey
Economical Picks – Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chinelle Henry, Sarah Glenn
Megan Schutt and Radha Yadav are currently on 23-match and 21-match streaks respectively of taking at least a wicket in the T20I format. Nonkululeko Mlaba has been expensive in her short T20I career and failed to pick up a wicket so far.
However, the performances in the warm-ups are likely to seal her position in the XI as she will be a budget pick as she costs only 5 credits. England’s Sarah Glenn also costs 5 credits only but the leg-spinner picked 5 wickets in two matches against Australia and could threaten big batters. Afy Fletcher could have a field day with the ball against Thailand.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Sophie Devine and Natalie Sciver will be ideal options for captain and vice-captain on current form. One all-rounder from West Indies can be considered for this role but it would work only if they bat first against Thailand. If India bat first against Australia, a risk can be taken by making Smriti Mandhana or Shafali Verma as vice-captain. With Tayla Vlaeminck getting ruled out of this match, we can expect Shafali earn her chances in the powerplay.
Expert Advice and Free hit boosters:
The pitches at the Sydney Showground Stadium are usually slower tracks but things have improved this season. Hence, the game between Australia and India could well be the highest scoring match among the first-round games. Hence, the tournament opener is the best choice for utilizing the Super Fours free-hit.
Super Fours – Match 1, Australia vs India
Star Skipper – Match 3, New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Bowling Machine – Match 2, West Indies vs Thailand (or) Match 4, England vs South Africa
*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
from Fantasy Cricket – CricTracker https://ift.tt/2V8ZHHi
