Series: Americas World Cup Qualifiers Sep 2021
Venue: Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan
Format: T20I
Toss: Argentina
Result: USA by 56 runs
Argentina Fight Hard but US Still Dominates
A day after being humiliated for just 12 runs all out you could forgive Argentina for not showing up this morning. Far from it. Despite still losing in a one sided match the Argentinians actually pushed the USA harder than any other team so far.
Sindhu Sriharsha won the toss for the USA and chose to bat. A curious but brave decision to bat first in the morning on a pitch that was at its most challenging for batting at that time of the day. Challenge is the key word, for that is what the skipper indicated at the toss: she wanted to challenge her young batters to succeed in these trying conditions.
Mariana Martinez (1-25), Argentina’s fastest yet most erratic of bowlers, removed Gargi Bhogle for a duck, two balls into the US innings caught behind by the impressive wicket keeper, Malena Lollo. Unfortunately from that point Martinez began to miss her run-up and deliver no-balls and wides. It was frustrating to watch. When she gets it right she is very good.
Chetnaa Prasad (3) on debut, was the second to go, bowled by Alison Stocks (3-13) who was easily the tidiest of the bowlers. Shebani Bhaskar (29) and Anika Kolan (26) built a good partnership of 40 runs which looked set to help the USA post a good total. When Constanza Sosa (3-19) dismissed Kolan the innings lost momentum and steady wickets saw the USA post a total of 114 when it looked like being so much more.
Significantly the Argentinians bowled out the US. Had they not given 40 extras they’d have been chasing only 74, a considerable difference when they finished their own innings 58/8. It would have been a much closer encounter, but as it stands the USA won by 56 runs.
The US victory was built once again on their outstanding pace attack and it was Suhani Thadani (4-6), so impressive in this tournament so far, awarded Player of the Match. Uzma Iftikhar (3-9) had success with her off-breaks, but worthy of mention the other USA pace bowlers who were simply miserly. Moksha Chaudhary 0-6 from 4 overs, Tara Norris 0-8 from 3 overs.
Once again the USA showed that they are the best bowling group in the tournament and are near Brazil when it comes to fielding. It is an intimidating force for opposing batters. If they get their batting right this team will go undefeated.
Scores:
USA 114 (Shebani Bhaskar 29, Anika Kolan 26, Alison Stocks 3-13, Constanza Sosa 3-19) 19.1 overs
Argentina 58/8 (Suhani Thadani 4-6, Uzma Iftikhar 3-9) 20 overs
Player of the Match: Suhani Thadani