RSAW vs SLW Match Preview
South Africa Women recently returned from a full tour of Australia, where they lost the one-off Test and the limited-overs series. Sri Lanka Women have not played international cricket since last year's Asian Games. Here is an opportunity for both teams to get back into their respective grooves.
The battle between the captains should be highly entertaining. South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt is relatively new to the full-time captaincy and remains her team's best batter. Look forward to Wolvaardt opening the batting and capitalising on the fielding restrictions.
Chamari Athapaththu has been playing international cricket since 2009, so has a lot of experience. Like Wolvaardt, Athapaththu participated in the Women's Premier League in India recently. That's a pretty big league and bodes well for their form in this WT20I series.
For some good bowling options among the home team's ranks, consider Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas. They performed well in the WT20I series against the Autsralians. Klaas is a superb seamer, while de Klerk's variations should be key in Benoni conditions.
Sri Lanka's Inoshi Priyadharshani and Udeshika Prabodhani are also solid considerations for your Dream11 team selection. As one of the most formidable left-arm seam and off-spin pairings in international women's cricket, Priyadharshani and Prabodhani are well worth choosing.
Your Dream11 team is going to need a wicketkeeper. Here, Anushka Sanjeewani is a promising pick. She, like Athapaththu, fared well with the bat during the Asian Games. Athapaththu is a sound selection behind the stumps, if you are not going to go for South African wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta.
Weather Report
Some rain is forecast in Benoni on matchday. But it probably won't be enough to affect the match. This is an inland venue, where conditions are largely dry.
Pitch Report
A first-innings total of 170-plus should be considered competitive. Both teams should play two specialist spinners. A dry pitch will likely prove conducive to turn in the second innings.
Notable stats
Wolvaardt in form
The Proteas Women captain is closing in on 1,500 runs in WT20I cricket. This tally includes 10 half-centuries.
Team News
South Africa Women all-rounder Chloe Tryon has navigated injury issues lately, but should be available this time. It will be interesting to see if Sri Lanka Women select off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari.
RSAW vs SLW Probable 11
RSAW Playing 11
- Laura Wolvaardt (C)
- Tazmin Brits
- Marizanne Kapp
- Sune Luus
- Anneke Bosch
- Chloe Tryon
- Nadine de Klerk
- Sinalo Jafta (Wk)
- Nonkululeko Mlaba
- Masabata Klaas
- Ayabonga Khaka
SLW Playing 11
- Chamari Athapaththu (C)
- Anushka Sanjeewani (Wk)
- Vishmi Gunaratne
- Hasini Perera
- Nilakshika Silva
- Oshadi Ranasinghe
- Kavisha Dilhari
- Sugandika Kumari
- Inoshi Priyadharshani
- Udeshika Prabodhani
- Inoka Ranaweera
Dream11 Prediction
South Africa Women are in a stronger position than Sri Lanka Women to win this opening fixture of the three-match series. The hosts' batting and bowlind depth is deeper - and they have homeground advantage.
Top Picks
Chloe Tryon: Select one of the biggest hitters and best finishers in women's international cricket.
Laura Wolvaardt: The South Africa Women captain is a must for your Dream11 team's batting order.
Inoshi Priyadharshani: This is one of the best off-spinners in women's cricket - Benoni conditions should suit her.
RSAW vs SLW Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Anushka Sanjeewani
Batters: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt (C)
All-rounders: Chloe Tryon, Chamari Athapaththu (VC), Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Kavisha Dilhari
Bowlers: Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Udeshika Prabodhani
