Women’s Super Smash 2019-20, Match 22: Wellington Blaze vs Northern Spirit: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The 22nd match of the Women’s Super Smash 2019-20 will be played between Wellington Blaze and Northern Spirit at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The match starts at 12:40 PM local time (11:40 PM GMT – Prev Day) (5:10 AM IST).

This game can be viewed on Star Sports Select 1 SD/HD in India. Live streaming available on Hotstar.

Preview:

Wellington Blaze has reached a stage in the tournament where the only chance of them losing is by playing some poor cricket. They have won all the seven matches played thus far and will be looking for the No.8 when they face Northern Spirit on Friday. Both the team clashed off in the match on Tuesday where the Blaze won a huge 62-run margin. The home side will be the Wellington team this time around as Basin Reserve will host this match. The Northern Spirit needs to show some urgency if they want to finish in the top three. They lost all the three matches they played after the opening round.

Weather Condition/Report:

No threat from rain is expected during the Friday’s match between Blaze and Spirit at the Basin Reserve.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Basin Reserve recorded totals around 150 in both the matches during the last edition of this tournament. However, in the matches played between Blaze and Sparks this year, the hosts showed dominance by restricting the Otago team to just 96 and chased it down comfortably. The pitch is likely to be a belter if the teams play to their true potential.

Average first innings score: 132 (Women’s Super Smash matches since 2018/19)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 2, Lost – 1

Injury and Availability:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Probable Playing XIs:

Northern Spirit:

Katie Gurrey, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Felicity Leydon-Davis (C), Kate Anderson, Lucy Boucher, Eimear Richardson, Olivia Lobb (WK), Lily Mulivai, Charlotte Sarsfield, Carolyn Esterhuizen, Lauren Heaps.

Bench – Emma Baker.

Wellington Blaze:

Rachel Priest (WK), Rebecca Burns, Sophie Devine (C), Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr, Leigh Kasperek, Thamsyn Newton, Liz Green-Perry, Jess Kerr, Maneka Singh, Deanna Doughty.

Bench – Xara Jetly, Jess McFadyen.

Top Picks:

Sophie Devine had an amazing BBL with the bat and her performances in this tournament made it look as if she was out of form. However, she bounced back in style with a 112-run knock. Devine had only 87 runs in first five matches. Jess Kerr is operating the ball on a different level altogether in this season as she bagged 18 wickets in seven matches at a strike rate of 9.3. It seems as if Katie Gurrey peaked too early with three straight 70+ scores. In the next three matches, she aggregated only 44 runs and the Northern Spirit lost all those three. Deanna Doughty is the 2nd highest wicket-taker for the Blaze with 12 wickets at an average of 12.25.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Sophie Devine, Katie Gurrey, Amelia Kerr

Vice-Captain – Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Jess Kerr, Felicity Leydon-Davis

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper –Bernadine Bezuidenhout (VC)

Batters – Katie Gurrey, Maddy Green, Rebecca Burns

All-Rounders – Sophie Devine (C), Felicity Leydon-Davis, Kate Anderson

Bowlers – Leigh Kasperek, Deanna Doughty, Jess Kerr, Carolyn Esterhuizen

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Rachel Priest (VC), Bernadine Bezuidenhout

Batters – Katie Gurrey (C), Lucy Boucher, Rebecca Burns

All-Rounders – Felicity Leydon-Davis, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine

Bowlers – Deanna Doughty, Carolyn Esterhuizen, Jess Kerr

Expert Advice:

Making a choice between Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek will define the fantasy team in the matches involving Wellington Blaze. Only one of these two spinners of the NZ Women’s team are likely to be among big points in a given match. Picking both in the same fantasy team disturbs the combination and also the credits available.

Probable Winners:

It is needless to say that the Wellington Blaze will be getting their 8th win on Friday unless a miracle.

*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.