Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Both these nations lost their respective first group stage fixtures in this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and victory for either would be worth its weight in gold.
DATE & TIME: Monday 7th October, 2024: UAE – 5:00pm / USA (PST) – 7:00am / USA (EST) – 10:00am / UK – 3:00pm / South Africa – 4:00pm / Pakistan – 7:30pm / India– 7:00pm / Bangladesh – 8:00pm / Tuesday 8th October 2024: Australia – 12:00am
VENUE: Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
WEATHER: Hot conditions with temperatures starting at 36c with bright sunshine descending into clear skies later on.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Nagorik TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco, Tamasha & Shoq / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Toffee / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR THE 2024 ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP: Click here for the latest ticket information for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
ENGLAND FORM: SOLID START FOR ENGLAND LED BY SPIN-QUARTET
England’s openers got their side off to a fast start in their opening match, which proved crucial in the end against Bangladesh. Adding 48 in just 6.4 overs on a tough pitch for batting was important in ensuring England added with a very competitive 118/7. Their four spin-bowlers then went to work, taking six wickets between them and restricting the Tigers to just 97/7, thus winning by 21 runs.
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: OPENERS DOMINATE WINDIES
South Africa made the biggest statement of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup so far with a ten-wicket demolition of West Indies this past Friday. The Proteas chased down 119 without losing a single wicket as Laura Wolvaardt and Tamsin Brits both made unbeaten half-centuries in an unbroken partnership for last year’s runners-up.
ENGLAND BETTING ANALYSIS
You could make a case for investment in all four of England’s spin-bowlers in Sharjah. But after a wicketless showing against Bangladesh, this could be the match where Sophie Ecclestone comes into her own. There is no better spinner in world cricket than the left-arm tweaker and her pace variations in particular should cause South Africa big problems. Consider backing Ecclestone to bounce back strongly with over 1.5 match wickets.
SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS
Although she faces significantly tougher bowling opposition on this occasion, Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt will still be confident of putting up another big individual score as she continues to ride a wave of brilliant form. An excellent player of spin, Wolvaardt got off to the ideal start with an unbeaten 59 against Bangladesh. Backing her to follow that up with another score of 20+ runs here is a play well worth making for bettors.
ENGLAND VS SOUTH AFRICA EXPERT PREDICTION
South Africa were winners the last time these two nations clashed in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and England will want revenge here. This is unlikely to be a high-scoring contest in Sharjah and the spin-bowling of both teams will be key. In what looks a tight encounter on paper, England’s depth of bowling does seem slightly stronger and what that in mind, consider backing them to sneak past the Proteas.
ENGLAND VS SOUTH AFRICA TOP TIP: ENGLAND TO WIN