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Women’s T20 Challenge may have only four matches in all but it has still created a lot of buzz, especially after the second game. Velocity were devastated by the Trailblazers or specifically Sophie Ecclestone, who dismantled every batswoman she bowled to.

However, Supernovas will have to work hard as the net run-rate will be a concern for them. It will be a must-win game for them and that too with some decent margin in order to qualify without any problems. Supernovas vs Trailblazers Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 is going to be played on the 7th of November 2020 at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, Sharjah.

Head to Head

Matches Played-2, Supernovas- 1, Trailblazers- 1, N/R- 0

Team News

The Supernovas will have a tough test to pass as the Trailblazers are absolutely lethal with the ball. They will, therefore, prepare well and the fact that their batting lineup has some really good batswomen will help them to get through the 20 overs hopefully.

Chamari Athapaththu, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues will be the main players considering their form and their experience in the game. The bowling department will hope that Ayabonga Khaka and the spinners, Radha Yadav and Poonam Yadav, there is a huge possibility that they could exploit the batting problems in the Trailblazers squad if any.

For Trailblazers, the last game was all about individual performances. Sophie Ecclestone showed why she is the best-ranked bowler in the world, picking four wickets in just 3.1 overs giving only nine runs. Her bowling will be something that will terrify the under pressure Supernovas batswomen.

Jhulan Goswami picked up two wickets as well and ended a successful bowling display with class. Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s brace of wickets was useful too. The Trailblazers are not known for their batting but they won’t go through real trouble until they are actually forced to bat deep.

Smriti Mandhana, Deandra Dottin, and Richa Ghosh are three instrumental batswomen in their lineup and the team mainly depends on any one of them to play a big knock.

Pitch and Conditions

Like we know, the Sharjah pitch has turned into a slow one as anticipated. The batswomen will struggle and will take some performance to put on a defendable total. A score around 135-140 will be decent and the bowlers would definitely fancy attacking with all they have.

The sky will be clear and the temperature is expected to drop around 26 degrees. Humidity is expected to be 57%.

Supernovas Probable XI

Priya Punia, Chamari Athapaththu, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Taniya Bhatia (WK), Shashikala Siriwardene, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Shakera Selman, Ayabonka Khaka.

Trailblazers Probable XI

Smriti Mandhana (C), Deandra Dottin, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Nattakan Chantham, Salma Khatun, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami.

Key Battles

Sophie Ecclestone vs Chamari Athapaththu

Sophie Ecclestone vs Chamari Athapaththu

As Supernovas tumbled against Velocity in the first game of the T20 challenge, Athapaththu was one of the very few who didn’t seem affected by what was going around. She was in her own flow and scored 44 off 39 balls before falling prey to Jahanara Alam.

She will be against the fierce Sophie who has been ruthless from her very first bowl in the tournament. There’s barely any doubt that Ecclestone will have a plan for the Supernovas batswoman but it will be interesting to see how Athapaththu decides to counter the best bowler in the world of women cricket.

Deandra Dottin vs Poonam Yadav

Deandra Dottin vs Poonam Yadav

Yadav managed to pick only one wicket in her last game but there’s much more to her bowling. She has a decent economy rate and she would definitely want to have a go at the explosive Deandra Dottin.

Deandra Dottin barely had anything to work for as the Trailblazers bowlers didn’t let the Velocity batswoman to score much. However, as strong as the West Indian is, she may lose her balance against a spinner. An intelligent bowler like Poonam would be hoping that the run machine doesn’t harm the Supernovas much and keep them alive in the tournament.

Prediction

The game is an unpredictable one. The way the Trailblazers bowled in the last game was commendable but the Supernovas will not go down without a fight. Competing for a place in the final, the approach from Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will have to be clear and simple.

They need not run away but they cannot shy away from the challenge too. Smriti Mandhana will have a job in hand, not only to manage her team but perform well with the bat too. Her perishing early could put the team in trouble as the pitch will not be batswoman friendly.

However, Cricwizz predicts Trailblazers to win the game.