England vs India Women 1st T20 Preview & Tips - Can India open their T20 series against England with a win?

India Women slumped to a 23-run loss at the hands of South Africa in their last T20 game at the end of April. 

The touring side managed to secure a battling 14-run win in the second T20 with this sandwiched by a pair of seven-wicket wins for England. Lower scores were the order of the day with neither of the sides able to go beyond the 185-run mark across six innings. Generally, the ball shaded the bat, and this may yet be a sign of things to come in the upcoming World Cup. 

For England, the series was about garnering some real momentum heading into their own World Cup. By and large, they managed to generate momentum, but they now face a very stern test in the form of India. 

India have beaten England in four of their last six meetings as the gap between the pair continues to shrink. 

However, England at home is not an easy prospect. Winning this series pales in comparison to winning the World Cup over the English summer, but securing a morale-boosting win can often be the difference between a side winning their first game at a World Cup or slumping to a defeat. 

With the two sides very well matched, I predict a close game, but I back home advantage to work in England's favour as they make it consecutive T20 wins over their opponents. 

Their opponents, the hosts for the competition, will be raring to go, but India will have taken note of their three matches against New Zealand. While the home side did win 2-1, their batting did not look particularly comfortable across the series. Indeed, being restricted to 156/6 in the second T20 saw only one England player return a strike rate of above 150.00. If India can get at England's batters and take early wickets, they will feel the middle-order will struggle, with this seeing them post low scores. 

For India, the focus will also be on getting to grips with English conditions. A 3-0 series triumph would be ideal, but having their batting and bowling units primed and ready for any eventuality in English conditions is more important.

While I predict this series will be hard-fought, I do not back India to win the opener as they slump to a tight defeat.