Toss: West Indies opt to bowl against England
In a crucial final group-stage match of the T20 World Cup, Hayley Matthews, playing in her 100th T20I, won the toss and elected to have England bat first. This winner-takes-all encounter could see both teams advance under certain unusual circumstances. The victorious side will secure a spot in the semi-finals, while England can still progress even with a narrow loss. South Africa is the other team vying for advancement from Group B.
England will face challenges not only from the West Indies but also from unfamiliar conditions, as this marks their first match in Dubai after playing their previous three in Sharjah. They previously employed a three-spinner, two-seamer strategy against Scotland, and now they have maintained Lauren Bell over Linsey Smith, with Nat Sciver-Brunt set to lead the attack. Alice Capsey returns to the lineup after recovering from illness, replacing Sophia Dunkley, who did not bat in her only appearance.
On the West Indies side, the news isn’t as favorable concerning injured players. Former captain Stafanie Taylor, who has been battling a knee injury throughout the tournament, was not included in the XI for this match. However, young all-rounder Zaida James, who sustained a thumb and chin injury during the opener against South Africa, has been deemed fit. Chedean Nation replaces Mandy Mangru, who made her debut in the last match against Bangladesh.
England boasts a 13-match winning streak against the West Indies, with their last loss to them occurring in 2018. Overall, England has won 19 out of 29 encounters against the West Indies.
England Lineup: 1. Maia Bouchier, 2. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3. Alice Capsey, 4. Nat Sciver-Brunt, 5. Heather Knight (captain), 6. Amy Jones (wk), 7. Danielle Gibson, 8. Charlie Dean, 9. Sarah Glenn, 10. Sophie Ecclestone, 11. Lauren Bell
West Indies Lineup: 1. Hayley Matthews (captain), 2. Qiana Joseph, 3. Shemaine Campbelle, 4. Deandra Dottin, 5. Chinelle Henry, 6. Chedean Nation, 7. Zaida James, 8. Ashmini Munisar, 9. Aaliyah Alleyne, 10. Afy Fletcher, 11. Karishma Ramharack
