The action moves to the famous 'Bullring' in Johannesburg as South Africa Women take on Ireland Women in this ODI encounter. The hosts have been absolutely ruthless so far, scoring a massive 375 runs in the previous game. For fantasy fans, this venue is usually a goldmine for batting points, but the pacers will have a say as well.
Here is everything you need to know to build your winning teams for the Mega Leagues.
Match Details
- Match: Ireland Women vs South Africa Women (ODI)
- Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Weather and Pitch Report
Johannesburg in December is warm, but afternoon thunderstorms are always a possibility on the Highveld. If the clouds roll in, the seamers might get some early movement. However, the Wanderers is known for its high altitude, meaning the ball travels further.
The stats back this up: the average score in the last 5 matches here is a whopping 258.6. While pacers have taken 37 wickets compared to spinners' 28, the real value here is in the top order batters. Expect a hard surface with good bounce that batters enjoy.
Team Form and News
South Africa Women (SA-W): The Proteas are flying high. Their batting lineup is clicking, led by their captain Laura Wolvaardt who smashed 124 runs in the last game. Sune Luus has also found her rhythm, contributing with both bat and ball. They are the clear favorites at home.
Ireland Women (IRE-W): Ireland showed great character in the last match, scoring 301 runs in a losing cause. Orla Prendergast was the star with a brilliant 97. Their bowling has struggled to contain the South African onslaught, and they will need their senior players like Gaby Lewis and Arlene Kelly to step up.
Key Players to Watch
Laura Wolvaardt (SA-W) She is an absolute lock for your fantasy teams. With 155 runs in the series and a massive century in the last game, she loves the ball coming onto the bat. The Wanderers pitch suits her style perfectly.
Orla Prendergast (IRE-W) Prendergast is the MVP for Ireland. She has scored 125 runs in the series and also bowls medium pace, giving her a high ceiling for points. She is a top contender for the Captaincy role in your fantasy contests.
Sune Luus (SA-W) Luus has been fantastic, accumulating 180 runs in the series and chipping in with wickets. Her all round ability makes her a safe pick for small leagues.
Jane Maguire (IRE-W) On a pitch that offers bounce, Jane Maguire's medium pace has been effective. She picked up 3 wickets in the last match and is a good differential pick for your bowling unit.
Amy Hunter (IRE-W) The wicketkeeper batter is in good touch, with 96 runs in the series. She provides points through catches and consistent batting at the top.
Captaincy and Vice Captaincy Picks
- Safe Options: Laura Wolvaardt, Orla Prendergast
- Differential Options: Sune Luus, Amy Hunter
Fantasy Strategy for The Wanderers
- Stack the Batters: This is a high scoring venue. Do not ignore the top 3 batters from both sides.
- Pace over Spin: The ground stats show pacers take more wickets here (37 vs 28). Focus on bowlers who hit the deck hard rather than slow turners.
- Chasing Bias: At high altitude, chasing totals can be easier. Keep an eye on the toss and load up on the chasing team's top order.
Good luck with your contests, and trust your skills to top the leaderboard!
