WT20WC 2024 Day Two Preview: Competition heavyweights begin campaign in Dubai

South Africa take on 2016 winners West Indies in a crucial Group B clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, before India battle it out against two-time runners up New Zealand in Group A.

South Africa v West Indies

Match Centre and Scorecard

South Africa v West Indies, Friday 4 October (14:00 local), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

South Africa will be looking to go one step further than their runner-up finish at last year's T20 World Cup and will be keen to start their tilt with a victory first-up against a strong West Indies outfit.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt will be crucial for the Proteas at the top of their batting order, while West Indies counterpart Hayley Matthews is the No.1 ranked all-rounder in T20I cricket and is sure to play a big role with both bat and ball.

The return of Deandra Dottin to the international fold boosts the West Indies' firepower, but the experience and guile of South Africa's Marizanne Kapp provides the Proteas with an equally effective threat in the middle-order and with the new-ball.

This looms as a tight clash between two sides that will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

What The Captains Said

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt: "I think T20 cricket is such a fickle format. I think obviously last year (2023 T20 World Cup), last time was great, but we're just looking to take it one game at a time. Obviously a very difficult pool, but hopefully we can make semi-finals and then anything can happen from that."

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews: "Every series you play, every training session you have is towards that goal of a World Cup, so (preparation) definitely is a long process, and I think this is one that as a West Indies team, we've had in our sights for a very long time."

The Squads

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon. Travelling reserve: Miané Smit

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (vc, wk), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton

India v New Zealand

Match Centre and Scorecard

India v New Zealand, Friday 4 October (18:00 local), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

An important contest in Dubai as the No.3-ranked side in the world (India) takes on the No.4-ranked New Zealand in what will prove critical to both teams hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

India looked to be in good touch during the warm-up matches as they registered impressive victories over the West Indies and South Africa, while New Zealand split their games against the Proteas (win) and England (loss).

Both teams boast a strong top-order, with the likes of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma from India matched by Kiwi counterparts in Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr.

India boast plenty of depth in their batting line-up and both teams have some good bowling options with spin likely to play a major part in deciding who comes out on top.

What The Captains Said

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur: "Every day I'm going and learning and getting experience from every game. People around me, they are helping me, they are working hard to make our team go at that level where we want to be. I am happy with where our team is, how our team is working hard to achieve small things."

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine: "We've got a number of young fast bowlers coming through. Their development has been massive the last 12 to 18 months so certainly looking forward to seeing what sort of bowlers they can turn into."

The Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan. Travelling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor. Non-Travelling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

The World Cup will see 23 matches held in total over 18 days, with all matches in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.

Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.