England Women will be up against New Zealand Women in the first ODI of the five-match series at County Ground in Bristol, on Thursday (16 September). Their recently concluded T20I series went in favour of England (2-1).
England will be boosted by the return of Danni Wyatt in the ODI squad. Wyatt is in good form, and scored a brisk 35 in the last T20I. She will open the innings, alongside Tammy Beaumont, who is also the leading run-getter for them in ODI.
Nat Sciver has had an ordinary campaign, where she managed scores of 14, 4 and 2 in three T20Is. She would be eager to get some runs. Kate Cross and Lauren Winfield-Hill are available for the ODIs after missing the T20I series.
New Zealand, meanwhile, are heavily reliant on their top-three in batting. It was a half-century from Sophie Devine that helped them level the T20I series. Devine, along with Suzie Bates, once again got them off a decent start in the last game, but the batters following them failed to capitalise.
The middle order of Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday and Katey Martin need to step up to the occasions. They have been guilty of squandering the great starts.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Although Sciver couldn’t do much in the T20I series, it still makes sense to include her in the fantasy XI. She is quite handy with the ball as well.
- Amy Satterthwaite, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont are great batting options.
- Other than Sciver, Devine can be your second all-rounder.
Probable XI:
England: Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Ellen Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Tash Farrant
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Leigh Kasperek, Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin (wk), Hayley Jensen, Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr
Prediction:
A riveting contest awaits and England may prevail.
Blitzpools Fantasy Team
Amelia Jones, Amy Satterthwaite, Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Sophie Devine, Nate Sciver (vc), Leigh Kasperek, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Eccelstone, Hannah Rowe
