Eight men's international teams and 10 women's international sides are on the field this week with four series and the Women's T20 World Cup coming up. For Nostragamus fantasy managers, the week offers innumerable opportunities to earn some money and here we have some handy picks identified.
Quinton de Kock
Country: South Africa
Match/Series: South Africa vs Australia, T20Is
Quinton de Kock has been riding a purple patch for a while now and it's most reflective in his T20I run of form. In his last five outings in T20Is, de Kock has scores of 52, 79*, 31, 65 and 35 with each of them coming at a strike rate of 140 or more. The ability to kick on and get big scores is natural to him and this Australian series could see him make a few huge scores.
Neil Wagner
Country: New Zealand
Match/Series: New Zealand vs India, Tests
The possible return of Trent Boult and Tim Southee's dismissal of Virat Kohli in the final ODI are being discussed as signs of things to come in the Tests. However, it's Neil Wagner that India needs to fear more. The hit-the-deck seamer had troubled the Aussies in their backyard and has an incredibly good strike rate of 48 in home Tests. He has 46 wickets in Tests since 2019 at a pretty low average and will be a huge threat for India with his short balls.
Read | IND vs NZ: Rohit Sharma thwarts his perennial nemesis, Tim Southee
Virat Kohli
Country: India
Match/Series: New Zealand vs India, Tests
Virat Kohli's poor run of form in the ODIs will be discussed much before the Test series but the Indian captain is a class act with his form in whites being incredibly good in recent times. He has runs across the planet in all formats and will be a key player for India this series. In 2019 in 11 innings, Kohli made 612 runs averaging 68 with two centuries (one of which was a double ton) and two half-centuries. He will look to carry forward that form into 2020 in away conditions.
Sikandar Raza
Country: Zimbabwe
Match/Series: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, Test
Sikander Raza has often flown under the radar hailing from an unfancied Test side like Zimbabwe. The off-spinning all-rounder has astounded before with his batting abilities but in the recent series against Sri Lanka, he stood out with a seven-wicket haul in Harare, toiling away for 43 overs after taking the new ball. He further contributed with runs and will be banked upon for both his skills in Bangladesh on the slow, low wickets.
Beth Mooney
Country: Australia
Match/Series: ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Since 2019, Beth Mooney has 464 runs in 14 innings at an average of 42.18 with a century and four half-centuries. Her strike rate of close to 130 and association with Alyssa Healy at the top makes her one of Australia's most bankable players. The four-time title winners will depend on Mooney for quick starts in this World Cup. As they face off against India in the tournament opener, Mooney's contribution will be key to the hosts.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / William West
