NZ-W vs IND-W 2019, 1st ODI: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

The Men and Women cricketers of India and New Zealand are locking horns simultaneously at the moment. A day after the first ODI between the Men in Napier, the same venue will host the Women’s game. Mithali Raj returns for India to lead the side after a huge controversy surrounding her place, albeit in the T20I team. For the Kiwis, Amy Satterthwaite is the captain as the two teams will renew their rivalry.

Contrary to all the expectations, the Men’s game on Wednesday has turned out to be a damp squib. With the pitch offering turn to the wrist spinners, the team combinations are expected to change a bit for both the sides. The trio of Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur will be key for the girls in blue while Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are expected to carry the White Ferns.

Match Details:

The first game of the three-match ODI series between New Zealand Women and India Women will be hosted by the McLean Park in Napier.

The match starts at 2:00 PM local time (1:00 AM GMT) (6:30 AM IST).

The game will be live on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD in India. (Live streaming in Hotstar)

Last five completed ODI matches:

New Zealand Women: W, L, L, W, W.

India Women: L, W, W, W, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

This venue has not hosted a Women’s ODI game since the start of 2001 and any Women’s professional match since 2008. This match is expected to be played on the pitch used for Men’s ODI between New Zealand and India. The pitch looked good for batsmen in overall but had a bit of turn for the wrist spinners.

Probable Playing XI:

New Zealand Women:

Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite(C), Lauren Down, Katie Perkins, Maddy Green, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (WK), Amelia Kerr, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Holly Huddleston.

Bench –Hannah Rowe, Anna Peterson.

Note: Lauren Down was the 2nd leading run-getter in the Domestic One-Day competition with 323 runs from six innings. She is expected to feature in only her 2nd International series.

India Women:

Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Mithali Raj (C), Harmanpreet Kaur, Mona Meshram, Dayalan Hemalatha/Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Poonam Yadav, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Ekta Bisht/Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

Bench –Punam Raut, Shikha Pandey.

Note: India Women are expected to open with Jemimah ahead of Punam Raut given their form. Meshram confirmed her middle-order spot after a good knock in the warm-up game. India could pick one of Bisht and Gayakwad ahead of Shikha Pandey given the turn during Men’s ODI.

Power Picks:

Leigh Kasperek has 45 wickets from 25 ODI matches. She picked 36 wickets in 17 ODIs since the start of 2016. She went wicketless in only two of those 17 ODI matches.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Smriti Mandhana scored 7 fifties and a century in 12 ODI outings last year and will be the favourite option to be picked as the captain. Having said that, the likes of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Mithali Raj are also valuable multiplier options. Poonam Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues and Leigh Kasperek will be good for vice-captains. Kaur is another captaincy option.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Taniya Bhatia

Batters – Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite

All-Rounders – Sophie Devine

Bowlers – Poonam Yadav (VC), Jhulan Goswami, Holy Huddleston, Leigh Kasperek.

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues:

Keeper – Bernadine Bezuidenhout

Batters – Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Amy Satterthwaite

All-Rounders – Dayalan Hemalatha, Sophie Devine

Bowlers – Poonam Yadav, Jhulan Goswami, Holy Huddleston, Leigh Kasperek

Expert Advice:

If the pitch used for the Men’s game is employed for this match, then it is safe to pick a couple of lower-middle batsmen as the wickets will fell. Indian spinners will pick more in that case and more New Zealand batters are beneficial in the Dream 11 team.

Probable Winners:

Given the nature of the surface and the fact that India Women have managed to get better of New Zealand Women, Mithali Raj and Co. are expected to win this game.

*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.

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