Head-turning form, a legend as coach: USA plot U19 attack
Squad:
Geetika Kodali (c), Anika Kolan, Aditi Chudasama, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Laasya Mullapudi, Pooja Ganesh, Pooja Shah, Ritu Singh, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Snigdha Paul, Suhani Thadani, Taranum Chopra. Reserves: Chetnaa Prasad, Kasturi Vedantham, Lisa Ramjit, Mitali Patwardhan, Tya Gonsalves.
Schedule:
14 January v Sri Lanka at Willowmoore Park, Benoni
16 January v Australia at Willowmoore Park, Benoni
18 January v West Indies at Willowmoore Park, Benoni
🛫 World Cup Bound!!!
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) January 2, 2023
Our history makers have arrived in South Africa for the inaugural ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup, with the tournament starting on January 14!
Let's go #TeamUSA🇺🇸#WeAreUSACricket🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ySKIrYTm4H
Key player - Geetika Kodali
Much will be expected of the USA skipper with the new ball and on recent performances there is every expectation that the 18-year-old can shine throughout the tournament.
Kodali has already amassed 12 senior appearances for her country and the right-armer did not appear overawed when turning out alongside international stars Sune Luus and Deandra Dottin for Trinbago in the Women's Caribbean Premier League last year.
If Kodali can keep things tight early and make some initial breakthroughs with the ball, then there is every chance that the USA team can perform well in South Africa.
Expectations:
With West Indies great and recent ICC Hall of Fame inductee Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the helm as coach, USA should not be underestimated heading into the inaugural ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Chanderpaul had the knack of getting the job done when placed under duress during his distinguished career and the 48-year-old will expect nothing less from his charges during the group stages in South Africa.
The side claimed a head-turning series win over the West Indies in 2022, also knocking over fellow World Cup entrants UAE 3-2, and come into the tournament quietly confident.
The bad news for Chanderpaul and USA is they are placed in a tricky group, with matches against Sri Lanka, Australia and Bangladesh awaiting and a top three placing required during the initial stage to reach the Super Six phase of the event.
Chanderpaul is confident that his team can perform well in South Africa.
"We showed throughout the year (2022) the kind of cricket that we can play," he said recently.
"World Cups are incredibly special and we are really looking forward to representing the country on this fantastic platform."