THAILAND LOOK TO DEFEND ICC WOMEN’S EMERGING NATIONS TROPHY

Thailand are looking to defend the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy which they won last year in Bangkok when four teams finished level on ten points with five wins apiece and the home side won because of their superior net run-rate. The second edition of this tournament has been expanded to ten teams and five of the teams are Full Members of the ICC so it is a fantastic opportunity for the lower ranked teams to test their strength against the higher ranked countries.

The new look version of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy had been scheduled to be held in Bangkok but the recent floods had resulted in a late change of venue to Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. Thailand are drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Netherlands, while Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and United Arab Emirates will play each other in Group A.

All five teams in each group will play all other teams in their group before the teams that finish in the top three places in each group will play three more matches against the teams that qualify from the other group. A final on the last day will complete the tournament which should see some fantastic cricket as the top Associate sides have a chance to compete against Full Members.

Thailand’s first match of the tournament came against Netherlands with Netherlands now the higher rated team in the world rankings and despite a fine batting performance Thailand lost narrowly by five wickets as they could not defend a total of 135 for 2 in 20 overs. Thailand had won the toss and chosen to bat first and they would have been pleased with their final total as Natthakan Chantham and Nannapat Khonkaroenkai both hit accomplished fifties.

Natthakan hit her 13th fifty in T20Is as she made 55 from 47 balls with 5 fours and a six while Nannapat made her 14th fifty in T20Is as she hit 54* from 49 balls with 4 fours. Nannapat is now 50 runs short of becoming the first Thailand batter to complete 3000 runs in women’s T20Is and captain Naruemol Chaiwai hit 22* to take Thailand to a total of 136 for 2.

This is normally a total that the impressive Thailand bowling attack can defend with ease but Netherlands who batted very well as their openers Babette de Leede and Heather Siegars shared an opening stand of 78 in 11 overs to begin their chase in superb fashion. Wickets did then fall regularly to give Thailand hope of victory as Sunida Chaturongrattana took 2 for 26 but the composed Sterre Kallis remained at the crease to guide her side home with three balls to spare. Sri Lanka, Scotland and Pakistan were the other winners on day one and Thailand’s next match is against Pakistan.