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The much-anticipated North American Derby will mark the beginning of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Although the last warm-up match here was abandoned due to rain, the weather forecast for the match day indicates scattered showers. By 7:30 PM local time, the rain is expected to cease, allowing for a full, 20-over-per-side match under cloudy skies.
Teams Preview
United States of America Preview
The USA comes into this match brimming with confidence after their recent T20I series success against Bangladesh. They boast a 5-2 record against Canada in T20Is, further solidifying their position as favorites.
Key Players:
- Corey Anderson: Though not in top form, Anderson remains a pivotal figure in the middle order.
- Harmeet Singh: The former India U19 player adds depth with his all-round abilities.
- Monank Patel & Steven Taylor: The opening duo is crucial for setting up a strong foundation. Taylor’s impressive strike rate makes him a player to watch.
USA’s Key Bowlers:
- Ali Khan: With CPL experience, Khan was instrumental in the victory over Bangladesh.
- Saurabh Netravalkar: Alongside Khan, Netravalkar will spearhead the bowling attack.
USA Predicted Playing XI:
- Steven Taylor
- Monank Patel (c & wk)
- Andries Gous
- Aaron Jones
- Nitish Kumar
- Corey Anderson
- Harmeet Singh
- Shadley van Schalkwyk
- Ali Khan
- Jasdeep Singh
- Saurabh Netravalkar
Canada Preview
Canada enters the tournament on the back of a strong performance against Nepal in the warm-up matches. However, they have lost their last five T20Is, all against the USA.
Key Players:
- Navneet Dhaliwal & Aaron Johnson: Crucial for providing a solid start at the top.
- Nicholas Kirton: His partnership-building capabilities were evident against Nepal.
Canada’s Key Bowlers:
- Dillon Heyliger: Leading the bowling attack, Heyliger, along with Kalim Sana and Jeremy Gordon, will aim to exploit any weaknesses in the USA batting lineup.
Canada Predicted Playing XI:
- Aaron Johnson
- Navneet Dhaliwal
- Nicholas Kirton
- Pargat Singh
- R Pathan
- Shreyas Movva (wk)
- Saad Bin Zafar (c)
- Ravinderpal Singh
- Dillon Heyliger
- Jeremy Gordon
- Kaleem Sana
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Weather Conditions: The weather on match day is expected to feature scattered showers, but it should clear by match time, leaving a cloudy sky with temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report: The pitch at Grand Prairie Stadium is balanced, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. Patience will be key for batters to get set and then exploit the conditions. The average first innings score in domestic matches here is 166, with a competitive target likely being 180+.
Toss Prediction: Winning the toss and batting first will be advantageous, allowing teams to post a challenging total and use their quality bowling attacks to defend it.
Winning Prediction
The USA holds a slight edge over Canada, given their superior head-to-head record and the advantage of playing in home conditions. While Canada has shown promise, the USA’s recent form and overall squad strength make them the favorites in this clash.
Prediction: USA to win