Key occasions
Anthem time. How significantly better would this be if West Indies was reggae or dancehall and England’s was jungle or grime?
England’s openers are each in nick, having knocked off the 110 wanted to beat Scotland in 10 overs. This, although, is a really totally different affair, on a really totally different monitor. And right here come our groups!
Oh man, I can’t anticipate this. Gerronwidit!
West Indies might be involved that Taylor isn’t match. Not solely does he have the firepower to settle this match, however she additionally has the expertise and composure required to excel in an efficient knockout tie. That will increase the strain on Matthews, Campbell and Dottin, nevertheless it looks like these matchers are as typically settled by somebody stunning than by one of many massive weapons.
I do know Knight was fairly coy about her want to bowl first, however that is undoubtedly the type of pitch on which it helps to chase, utilizing the opposition to infer what constitutes a par complete. It’s onerous to drive the tempo on a monitor more likely to be gradual, however England gained’t need to run out of wickets searching for a better goal than vital, and my sense is that they take care, figuring out they’ve the spinners to twirl them residence if that’s what this takes.
Groups!
England: Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell
West Indies: Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Zaida James, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
West Indies additionally make two modifications, however Matthews can solely recall that Taylor drops out with Chedean Nation coming in.
Heather Knight would even have fielded, however says the pitch appears to be like OK and she or he’s completely satisfied to bat first. England make one change, the now-healthy Alice Capsey changing Sophia Dunkley. Thus it’s Bell not Smith finishing their assault.
West Indies win the toss and area
Hayley Matthews says her facet have been profitable doing that within the event and this 12 months.
Ready within the semis: Australia will face the runners-up within the group – SA if England win and Windies if Windies win– with the group winners, England if England win and in any other case SA – should tackle Australia.
In an try so to not do, I’m now chugging inexperienced juice: kale, blueberries, ginger, carrots, turmeric. Welcome to center age, inhabitants: me.
An extra query: do I’ve the willpower to not guzzle the Tony’s Chocolonely my daughter thinks she’s hidden for herself?
I stated beneath that solely considered one of these two sides can progress, however that’s not strictly true. If West Indies win, they and England qualify forward of South Africa if:
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They lose by one run and West Indies’ first-innings complete is between 87 and 134.
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They lose by two runs chasing between 61 and 96.
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They bat first and West Indies win with one or two balls to spare.
Gorrit?
A query: who will England choose at this time, Linsey Smith or Lauren Bell? It was Smith within the first two matches and she or he returned 2-11 then 1-32, whereas Bell delivered 1-16 when given the decision on the weekend. My sense is that Smith will prevail, however I’d go for Bell; it’s a fairly good option to have.
Simply completed for the day:
Preamble
How typically have we discovered ourselves watching a World Cup grumbling concerning the lack of jeopardy? Nicely, welcome to the alternative of that.
England have gained all three of their matches to this point, beating South Africa – the next-best facet within the group – and Bangladesh fairly handily, earlier than devastating Scotland. And but, because of the vagaries of web run-rate, in the event that they lose at this time, it’ll be West Indies – devastated by South Africa earlier than handily beating Scotland and Bangladesh – who transfer into the final 4.
And make no mistake, Hayley Matthews’ staff are greater than able to making that occur – particularly on a floor more likely to be gradual. Matthews, Stafanie Taylor – if match – Shemaine Campabelle and the returned Deandra Dottin all have the ability to defeat the monitor and outfield and, extra usually, the character of T20 cricket permits for one participant to have a time out and determine a match. West Indies are a reside canine after which some.
England, although, are bouncing. With the bat, they’ve quite a few skills in a position to ship transcendent performances whereas, with the ball Sophie Ecclestone is bowling so effectively it’s virtually unfair – and the remainder of the assault isn’t unhealthy both.
All of which units up what needs to be a terrific match – and within the occasion of a tie, progress might be decided by which staff can title extra meals that begin with the letter “Q”.