Womens World Cup ENG vs SA Preview: England, South Africa eye profitable begin in Guwahati conflict

Only Australia has gained extra ladies’s cricket World Cups than England. In 2017, England had emerged because the champion, at dwelling. In the final World Cup, it had contested the ultimate (no prize for guessing in opposition to whom).

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Yet, the Englishwomen aren’t the second favorite to win this World Cup. The Indians are.

While India has been making regular progress, England has had a largely forgettable yr to this point, together with a whitewash in Australia. But, if the warm-up matches are something to go by, England is in kind, having gained all 4 of them, in opposition to Australia, India and New Zealand.

This England facet incorporates a number of the sport’s greatest names and is coached by one of the crucial revered coaches round: Charlotte Edwards had guided Mumbai Indians to the title in two out of the three editions of the WPL.

She will probably be eager to make sure England opens its marketing campaign on the fitting observe in opposition to South Africa on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Friday. She should be hoping the likes of Nat Sciver-Brunt, the captain who scored 120 earlier than retiring out in opposition to India within the warm-up match at Bengaluru, Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell discover their contact from the earliest of days.

Edwards might lean on her expertise in India as a participant and MI coach. So might a number of the English gamers who’ve taken half within the WPL.

South Africa’s two foremost gamers have additionally had the WPL expertise. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt – whose cowl drives needs to be one of many highlights of this World Cup – and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp are two stalwarts the Proteas could possibly be banking on. There is extra expertise within the type of Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon and Ayabonga Khaka.

And keep in mind, South Africa was within the semifinals of the final two ODI and the T20I World Cups.

The groups:

England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (Capt.), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (Capt.), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune and Nondumiso Shangase.