WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2025
South Africa were bundled out of their third lowest ODI score against England © Getty
Two bruised teams, one more than the other, face each other in Indore searching for a win to get their World Cup campaign off the ground. This game presents both sides with a chance to course correct early. For South Africa, it’s also an opportunity to get one back at New Zealand to whom they lost last year’s T20 World Cup final to.
New Zealand’s World Cup began with a loss to their trans-Tasman rivals. Despite getting into a position of strength, having Australia down 128/5, they were unable to drive home the advantage after failing to halt Ash Gardner’s rampage. While Sophie Devine kept them in the chase with a valiant century, insufficient support from the rest meant that they fell 89 runs short. Still, there were enough positives for them to take away unlike their upcoming opponents.
South Africa will want to wipe out what happened in their opening game and treat this one as their first of the tournament. “We need to put it behind us as quickly as we can and move forward,” said Laura Wolvaardt in the aftermath of their shattering shellacking against England. That could prove far easier said than done as the wounds of a catastrophic batting failure, that saw them get bowled out for just 69, are likely to linger. Their -3.773 Net Run Rate will also be a scar they’ll carry. And with a game against India coming up after this, the pressure to show up and perform will be palpable in the South African camp.
Thus, New Zealand face a severely beleaguered South Africa, over whom they already hold a favourable record. Add to that their relative familiarity with conditions, having already played a game here, and New Zealand appear to hold a firm advantage.
When: Monday, October 6, 3:00 PM IST
Where: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
What to expect: Indore presented batting-friendly conditions during the previous game between Australia and New Zealand. That’s expected to continue with a flat pitch, small boundaries and a quick outfield.
Head-to-head: New Zealand hold the edge with a 12-8 record overall and a 3-1 record in ODI World Cups.
Team News:
New Zealand
Flora Devonshire, who sustained an injury to her bowling hand during training, was ruled out of the World Cup and replaced by Hannah Rowe, who will join the squad only on October 7. If Rosemary Mair is fit and available for selection, New Zealand may consider bringing her in.
Probable XI:Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Bree Illing/Rosemary Mair
South Africa
What do South Africa even change after a devastating loss like that? Ideally nothing.
Probable XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
Did you know?
Suzie Bates (5896) is 104 runs away from becoming only the second woman to score 6000 runs in ODIs after Mithali Raj
This game will be Sophie Devine’s 300th and Suzie Bates’ 350th international appearance for New Zealand
What they said
“Obviously, South Africa are going to be hurting after their first game. So, I know how South Africans are, and I’m sure they’re going to bounce back. But we know how this wicket generally plays in the outfield and the angles of the ground. So, it does put us in a slight advantage” – Suzie Bates, acknowledging the advantage New Zealand hold.
“I think from us as a team and also as a batting unit, it’s just to accept what has happened. Then Laura [Wolvaardt] capped it off nicely and said, we don’t become a bad batting unit overnight. Obviously, homework was done, and now we’re just looking forward to the next one” – Sinola Jafta, emphasising her side’s intention to move on from their last game.
© Cricbuzz
