The excitement of the ICC T20 World Cup is high where 50-overs World champion England will take on new entrant Thailand. While England faced a humiliating defeat in the first game against South Africa, Thailand won the hearts of everyone despite losing to the West Indies.
When Thailand’s openers – Nattakan Chantam and Nattaya Boochatham came out to bat against the West Indies at the WACA, many thought that West Indies would have crush then easily. However, on a track provided with enough pace and bounce, Thailand started pretty well.
Thailand’s wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who was named as the rising star of Thailand’s squad after the conclusion of the T20 Asia Cup in 2018, top-scored with 33. Despite defending a below-par total, Boochatham and the experienced legspinner, Suleeporn Laomi, bowled so well that the chase became hard for West Indies.
However, Thailand will hope Boochatham (country’s highest run-getter in the World Cup Qualifiers, 2017) and Naruemol Chaiwai to do well with the bat.
Read here: ICC T20 World Cup 2020: England vs Thailand Dream 11 Prediction
On the other hand, the 2018 World T20 finalist have started the tournament on a bad note. After suffering a loss against Sri Lanka in the warm-up game, England faced their first-ever loss to South Africa in a Women’s T20 World Cup. On a track of WACA, England’s batters struggled to score against Ayabonga Khaka’s medium pace and Dane van Niekerk’s leg-spin.
Only Natalie Sciver held the fort from one end with a fifty otherwise the situation would be worse. Even though Sophie Ecclestone tried her best with crucial wickets, South Africa registered a famous six-wicket victory on the back of Dane van Niekerk and Mignon du Preez.
In the game against Thailand, England are going to face a lot of spin from Boochatham and Laomi. So, it wouldn’t be easy for the experienced England side to register an easy win. However, keeping the experience in mind, England will have the upper hand in the game.
Squads
England
Heather Knight (C), Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Danielle Wyatt, Natalie Sciver, Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Sophie Ecclestone, Freya Davies, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield, Sarah Glenn, Kate Cross, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson.
Thailand
Sornnarin Tippoch (C), Nattaya Boochatham, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Naruemol Chaiwai, Nattakan Chantham, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Suleeporn Laomi, Nannapat Khoncharoenkai, Onnicha Kamchomophu, Phannita Maya, Chanida Sutthiruang, Soraya Lateh, Rosenanee Kanoh, Thipatcha Puttawong, Suwanan Khiaoto.
