WT20Q team preview: Thailand

Overview

The Thailand women’s cricket team are a smiling, polite lot. After their matches, they fold their hands and bow together as a mark of respect to the ground and gratitude to the game that has taken them far.

But make no mistake, that doesn’t mean they’re not a competitive lot. The team has gone from strength to strength in recent times, and all the hard work paid off in their recent victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.

“We want to be at our best during this big tournament. We have practised with the men’s under-19 players and our team has had exposure in the Asia Cup and on a tour of Sri Lanka. The team has been adapting well and we hope to continue to improve as a team,” said Somnarin Tippoch, the Thailand captain ahead of the qualifier event.

Players like Naruemol Chaiwai, the opening batsman, and Wongpaka Liengprasert, the spinner, were the best performers of their side in the Asia Cup. Liengprasert's five-wicket haul and Chaiwai's 56-ball 43 helped them seal a last-ball victory in their last match against Sri Lanka.

Looking back to their improved performances in recent times will give Thailand a much-needed boost ahead of the T20 Qualifier tournament in a bid to progress to November's main event in the West Indies.

History in the WWT20

In the 2013 edition, Thailand finished fifth defeating Zimbabwe in a rain-hit match in the Shield final. While in 2015, after registering their only win against the Netherlands, they finished seventh. One of the high points in Thailand's cricket history came in the ICC Women’s World T20 Asia Qualifier, which they won after beating the UAE in the final.

Player to watch out for

Wongpaka Liengprasert, the right-arm spinner, had spun her web in the recently concluded Women's T20 Asia Cup in June where she finished fourth in the leading wicket-takers' chart. In five matches, she snared nine wickets at an impressive average of 4.66. In their last match against Sri Lanka, she finished with a career-best 5/12.

Squad: Somnarin Tippoch (c), Nattaya Boochatham, Naruemol Chaiwai, Natthakan Chantham, Onnicha Khamchomphu, Rosenanee Kanoh, Nannapat Koncharonkai, Suleeporn Laomi, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Rattanaporn Padunglerd, Srinitra Saengsakaorat, Sainamin Saenya, Chanida Sutthiruang and Arriya Yenyueak. Janak Gamage (coach)

Schedule
7 July: v Ireland
8 July: v Uganda
10 July: v Scotland