ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Semi-Finals, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

After some riveting games in the Group stages, it’s time for the semis in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup. India and England would be locking horns in the first game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Even as the Girls in Blue have been unbeaten, against England, they have a 0-5 record in T20 World Cups. Even on head-to-head count, India have only beaten their opponent four times in 19 matches.

England only lost to South Africa in Group B and must be high on confidence. In the second match at the iconic SCG itself, hosts Australia and South Africa would be locking horns. The home team will take the field as the favourites, having beaten in all their four meetings. However, Dane van Niekerk’s South Africa aren’t expected to be mere pushovers after staying unbeaten in the Group.

Pitch and Conditions

There are chances of severe rain throughout the day and it won’t be a surprise if both the games get called off. From 9AM to 10 PM, the heavens may open up big time. The pitch in Sydney mostly assists the spinners, but with rain around, the tweakers may not get a whole lot of assistance. India and South Africa, the table-toppers in their respective Groups, will qualify if rain plays spoilsport.

Semi-Final 1, India vs England

Team Combination

India

The Indian batting has mostly depended on Shafali Verma, the recently crowned no.1 T20I batter. The 16-year-old has 161 runs at an average of 40.25. Smriti Mandhana hasn’t done anything of sorts though, having scored 38 runs at 12.66.. Jemimah Rodrigues needs to be a little more fluent.

Kaur’s poor run for form is a matter of concern. But there’s been no fifty thus far with Deepti’s 49* being the highest. Deepti has also been economical with the ball. Poonam Yadav has nine wickets and her role will be key. Pandey and the two spinners- Radha and Gayakwad have their roles to play.

Probable XI

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav.

England

England’s batting has been powered by Natalie Sciver and Heather Knight with 202 and 193 runs respectively with four half-centuries to their name. Barring them, there hasn’t been much a contribution from the others. Wyatt and Amy Ellen Jones have strained to find any sort of rhythm.

Tammy Beaumont’s batting position has also been debatable. In bowling, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, also ICC’s no.1 ranked T20I bowler, has eight wickets at a stupendous economy of 3.23. Anya Shrubsole has eight scalps as well. Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn has also started to weave magic.

Probable XI

Amy Ellen Jones (wk), Danielle Wyatt, Natalie Sciver, Heather Knight (C), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield, Fran Wilson, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn

Probable Top Performers

Shafali Verma– India  |  Heather Knight – England

Broadcast Details

TV: Star Sports

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 09:30 IST; 15:00 local; 04:00 GMT

The prediction is for England to win the match.

Semi-Final 2, South Africa vs Australia

Team Combination

South Africa

Lizelle Lee has been the Proteas’ standout batter with 109 runs to her name. But barring the century against Thailand, she had a couple of failures. Dane van Niekerk has four wickets in her kitty, but with the bat, she slumped after his 46 against England. Kapp remains to be a key figure in the team.

Luus and Kapp have 74 and 69 runs respectively. Laura Wolvaardt has 53 runs to her name and is in good form. Shabnim Ismail has five wickets to her name at 4.56. Most of their bowlers have economy rates under five. Ayobanga Khaka has been the most expensive with an economy of 7.50.

Probable XI

Lizelle Lee, Dane van Niekerk (C), Marizanne Kapp, Mignon du Preez, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Chloe Tyron, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayobanga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Australia

For Australia, the opening pair of Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy will be key. The duo has a combined tally of 296 runs with four half-centuries. If they get dismissed early, then the pressure could be exerted on the rest of the batters. Ellyse Perry has been ruled out due to hamstring injury.

Meg Lanning, Ashleigh Gardener and Rachael Haynes have to be on top of their games. Megan Schutt has seven wickets with a three-fer in the previous outing. Jess Jonassen has six wickets as well. Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham played the last game and returned with three crucial scalps.

Probable XI

Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (C), Ashleigh Gardener, Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt

Probable Top Performers

Marizanne Kapp– South Africa   | Beth Mooney – Australia  

Broadcast Details

TV: Star Sports

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 13:30 IST; 19:00 local; 08:00 GMT

The prediction is for Australia to win the match.