Women's WC Preview | In-form Proteas look to cash in against Bangladesh as string of minnows await

Yesterday at 1:06 PM

South Africa would be looking for a big victory against Bangladesh in Vishakhapatnam on Monday to boost their poor net run rate in the Women's World Cup. The Proteas pulled off an unlikely victory over India in their previous game while the Tigresses endured a huge defeat against New Zealand.

Chloe Tryone and Nadine de Klerk were the stars of South Africa's win over India in their latest encounter at the Women's World Cup

Form Guide

After being humiliated in their World Cup opener where England bowled them out for 69, South Africa have executed two statement making chases against fellow contenders New Zealand and India. While the former was a routine job done and dusted within 41-overs, the effort against India was an epic where they recovered from 81/5 to chase down 252 with three wickets to spare.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, have had a polar opposite World Cup campaign. They opened on a high by bowling out Pakistan for 127 enroute to a seven-wicket win and had England on the ropes at 78/5 in a chase of 179 in their second game. However, the English recovered to eventually register a comfortable four-wicket win before the Kiwis swept them apart by 100 runs in a thorughly one-sided encounter. Nevertheless, they boast a better net run rate of -0.357 as compared to their rivals' -0.888 despite being.

BAN: L L W L L

SA: W W L L W

BAN vs SA Head-to-Head in WODIs

Bangladesh have beaten the Proteas just thrice across 21 head-to-head meetings, the latest of which came at Buffalo Park in December 2023 when the hosts were bowled out for 131 in pursuit of 250. Both sides met for the first and only time so far at an ODI World Cup in 2022, when South Africa had managed to defend their 207-run total by a comfortable 32-run margin.

BAN 3-18 SA

Pitch and Weather

Vishakhapatnam has proven to be the best batting track in the ongoing Women's World Cup by far, as was on display during South Africa and Australia's chases of 252 and 331 against India respectively. That being siad, there is still enough help for spinners to leave a stamp on the contest while the pacers can be assured of some swing with the new ball given the overcast conditions expected to prevail on Monday.

Significant showers are expected either side of the scheduled 3 PM IST start time for the encounter, as well as late in the evening by when the encounter should be in its final 20 overs. Temperatures are expected to hover around the 30 degrees Celsius mark throughout, along with high humidity levels and a substantial cloud presence.

Team News

Following an epic win over one of the tournament favourites and hosts India in their previous encounter, the Proteas will be unwilling to tamper with their winning formula.

Bangladesh's batting struggles have kept them from chasing greatness in the ongoing edition, which may lead to the return of Fargana Hoque to the top-order considering she has nearly 500 ODI runs against their upcoming opponents.

Bangladesh (probable): Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c/wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi

South Africa (probable): Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba