World T20: BLACKCAPS & White Ferns Semi-Final Previews
King Rossco, one-footed-cut-shot, strike-rate too hot
For all the good vibes that the BLACKCAPS and White Ferns have spread throughout the group stages of their respective World T20 tournaments, what's it worth if they aren't crowned champions? There hasn't been a better time for the 'Caps or Ferns to win a major international tournament considering both the state of either team and the competition that awaits them, so how do they ensure that they aren't one of those teams that are great in group play and then fail in the clutch moments?
This is where things get a little tricky as you could argue that both teams should keep on doing what they're doing as it's worked thus far, however both England and West Indies would have done their homework on how the 'Caps and Ferns have gone undefeated in group play.
England would have obviously noted the threat posed by Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner. They would have also picked up on the great work of Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott as well and will undoubtedly look to target either Anderson or Elliott, not allowing them to conceded only 6-8 runs-an-over.
With Joe Root in their line up and Jos Buttler down the order leading the charge, leading the likes of Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Ben Stokes, England have a powerful batting line up that could very easily take the game away from the kiwis. If England back themselves to do what no other team has done thus far to Sodhi and Santner, it's imperative that someone else in this bowling attack stands up to pose a wicket-taking threat or to merely keep a lid on the runs.
Whether it's Nathan McCullum or Adam Milne/Mitchell McClenaghan who fills that last bowling spot could be crucial for the 'Caps. McClenaghan has the inside running to fill the third certified bowler spot, which means that depending on conditions we'll see either Milne or McCullum and this is a luxury that I love. Deep down in my heart, I'm hoping that Delhi offers up a ripping spin-friendly wicket, allowing for McCullum's selection as I like McCullum's experience and accuracy in this situation.
Sodhi and Santner are wicket-takers, the work of Anderson, Elliott and McCullum/McClenaghan/Milne will be crucial in building pressure for Sodhi and Santner to strike.
The way the kiwi batsmen have all chipped in, combined with England's lack of any genuine threat with the ball has me pretty damn excited. David Willey and Chris Jordan are England's leading wicket-takers with Willey biffing down left-arm (with a bit of swing) and Jordan being a right-arm medium pacer, while Adil Rashi and Moeen Ali could offer some funk, however they haven't done so yet.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are our best batsmen, plus Martin Guptill's the pinch-hitter up top but the BLACKCAPS will need solid contributions throughout their line up. What's impressed me the most and has me intrigued as to whether they can apply these skills in the clutch is how the kiwi batsmen have never really been bogged down yet they haven't been overly aggressive either. Colin Munro played within himself recently on a tough pitch and assessed the situation perfectly, you'd also expect the experience of Anderson, Elliott, Taylor and Luke Ronchi to shine in the middle order.
Everything about the 'Caps batting line up feels fluid, not just in terms of blokes coming in at different times but they are all good enough to accumulate as well as give it a whack. This gives me confidence; if Guppy gets out early, Munro can rebuild or counter-attack and if the top order collapses then the lads in the middle can work it around and lay some foundations.
That's the benefit of having team-wide contributions, as is the case with the White Ferns. West Indies will definitely note that off-spinner Leigh Kasperek is a gun and they'd be wise not to try blast her out of the attack, it's not as if the Ferns' other spinners Morna Nielsen and Erin Bermingham are much worse than Kasperek though.
Kasperek has 9 wickets, Bermingham's leggies have 6 wickets at only 4.50 rpo and Nielsen has been opening the bowling, only conceding 3.18 rpo. Stafanie Taylor is the leading run-scorer for West Indies, she's only operating with a strike-rate of 89.50 though and there's nothing in the Windies' line up that should scare the Ferns' bowlers, or make me worried.
West Indies do have Deandra Dottin who has 7 wickets with her right-arm medium's and Afy Fletcher who's offies have taken 6 wickets. Given the form of the Ferns' top order though, it doesn't really matter who is bowling because they have all the bases covered and more importantly, Rachel Priest has found form at the perfect time.
Suzie Bates has 171 runs at a strike-rate of 116.32 and has been the superhero of the Ferns, however Priest had been struggling to match Bates leading into the Women's World T20.
Priest's top score in the five T20's prior to the WWT20 starting was 17, in four WWT20 games Priest has scored 28, 12, 34 and 28 with a strike-rate of 117.24. Both our openers have scored over 100 runs and have strike-rates over 115, throw in Sophie Devine batting at No.3 who is striking at 134.24 and we have a recipe for success.
England and West Indies will pounce on any opportunity provided to them and could very easily beat the BLACKCAPS and White Ferns regardless of how well either kiwi team plays. What will be crucial for the two kiwi teams will be how they execute their plans and skills in high-pressure situations, situations that many of these cricketers have never been in before.