The highly anticipated final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will see South Africa Women (SA-W) face off against New Zealand Women (NZ-W) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE, on October 20 at 7:30 PM IST. As both teams prepare for this exciting encounter, here’s a breakdown of the Dream11 predictions, fantasy tips, key players, and pitch conditions for the grand finale.
Match Preview: SA-W vs NZ-W
South Africa Women have enjoyed a successful campaign, winning three of their four league games. They lost only to England in the group stage but bounced back strongly to qualify for the semi-finals as the second team in their group. In a stunning semi-final performance, they defeated defending champions Australia by eight wickets, thanks to a dominant display led by Laura Wolvaardt and her team.
New Zealand Women’s journey to the final has been just as impressive. Like South Africa, they won three of their four league matches, securing a semi-final berth as the second team in their group. In the semis, Sophie Devine’s squad triumphed over the spirited West Indies, paving their way to the final.
SA-W vs NZ-W Head-to-Head
Out of 16 encounters between these teams, South Africa Women have won 4 times, while New Zealand Women have secured 11 victories, with one match resulting in no outcome.
| Matches | South Africa Women Won | New Zealand Women Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
Weather and Pitch Report: South Africa vs New Zealand Women
- Weather: The conditions are expected to be warm, with clear skies. The temperature will hover around 30°C, and there’s little to no chance of rain during the match.
- Pitch: The surface at Dubai International Cricket Stadium is known to assist spinners, making spin a key factor. Batters may find the pitch better than the one in Sharjah, but teams will need to post or chase a competitive total of 140+ runs.
With 64% of the matches at Dubai in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup being won by chasing teams, captains might prefer to field first.
Top D11 Fantasy Picks for SA-W vs NZ-W
South Africa Women
- Laura Wolvaardt: The South African batter has been in fine form, amassing 190 runs in five matches. She will be crucial for her team at the top order.
- Marizanne Kapp: A versatile all-rounder, Kapp has taken 5 wickets and scored 82 runs, making her a reliable pick for fantasy teams.
- Nonkululeko Mlaba: With 10 wickets in the tournament so far, Mlaba has been one of South Africa’s standout bowlers.
New Zealand Women
- Amelia Kerr: Kerr has been brilliant throughout the tournament, with 12 wickets and 92 runs in five matches. She is expected to be a key player with both bat and ball.
- Eden Carson: Carson has impressed with her bowling, taking 8 wickets in five games, and will play a pivotal role in New Zealand’s bowling attack.
SA-W vs NZ-W Captain and Vice-Captain Picks for Dream11
- Small League Contests:
- Captain: Amelia Kerr
- Vice-Captain: Marizanne Kapp
- Head-to-Head Contests:
- Captain: Laura Wolvaardt
- Vice-Captain: Suzie Bates
- Grand League Contests:
- Captain: Amelia Kerr
- Vice-Captain: Nonkululeko Mlaba
Fantasy Team for SA-W vs NZ-W (Head-to-Head/Small Leagues)
- Wicketkeeper: M Green
- Batters: Suzie Bates, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Georgia Plimmer
- All-rounders: Marizanne Kapp, Amelia Kerr
- Bowlers: Ayabonga Khaka, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Nonkululeko Mlaba
- Captain: Amelia Kerr
- Vice-Captain: Marizanne Kapp
Fantasy Team for SA-W vs NZ-W (Grand Leagues)
- Wicketkeeper: M Green
- Batters: Suzie Bates, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Georgia Plimmer, Anneke Bosch
- All-rounders: Marizanne Kapp, Amelia Kerr
- Bowlers: Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Nonkululeko Mlaba
- Captain: Amelia Kerr
- Vice-Captain: Nonkululeko Mlaba
What should be team combination?
Considering the form of the players and the conditions in Dubai, a team combination of 1-1-4-5 or 1-2-4-4 might be the best strategy for fantasy contests. Be mindful of the spinners, as they will likely influence the match outcome. Amelia Kerr, in particular, is expected to be a game-changer with her all-round abilities.
The stage is set for an exciting final between South Africa Women and New Zealand Women, with both teams aiming to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.
