ICC Women’s World T20: Teams will keep a close eye on Smriti Mandhana, says Amy Sattertwaite

New Zealand women’s cricket team captain Amy Sattertwaite said that India’s Smriti Mandhana will be one player teams would have to keep a close eye on during the ICC women’s world T20 in West Indies starting November 9.

New Zealand women’s cricket team captain Amy Sattertwaite said that India’s Smriti Mandhana will be one player teams would have to keep a close eye on during the ICC women’s world T20 in West Indies starting November 9.

“India’s Smriti Mandhana stood out in the recent ECB Super League with some exceptional performances and teams will be keeping a close eye on her performances,” Sattertwaite wrote in her column for the ICC.

Mandhana, 22, has been in stunning form for India women, and and ended the Kia Super League as the highest run getter with 421 runs from 10 matches. In the ODI series against Sri Lanka recently, Mandhana scored an unbeaten 72 and 51 helping India clinch the ODI series 2-1.

The skipper added that New Zealand will be banking on No.1 ranked batswoman in T20Is Suzie Bates and No.5 ranked allrounder Sophie Devine in the Women’s World T20.

For us, Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine have been prolific in this format. Katey Martin is a classy player and her ability to hit all around the ground and in different conditions makes her one to watch. I can’t wait to see Amelia Kerr unleashed on the West Indian wickets and what she can do with the ball,” she wrote.

Sattertwaite wrote that will gap between the teams getting narrower the tournament will be a fiercely competitive one.

“This is going to be a fiercely competitive World T20 tournament. Anyone who’s been following women’s cricket in recent years will know the gap between the sides has closed markedly. But we are more than up for the challenge. It’s going to be hot! It’s going to be loud! It’s going to be a massive challenge not only physically, but mentally as well,” she added.