The time for talking is almost over and the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup is just around the corner. The 150 most exciting players in the world have gathered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the ninth edition of a tournament that continues to grow in reach and impact. The ten teams will play 23 matches to decide which team will be crowned world champions, with Bangladesh and debutants Scotland contesting the opening match on October 3. The players will compete at two of the world's leading cricket venues: the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Dubai International Stadium, which will test the range of talent in contrasting and intriguing ways. “The two venues can be very different. They are relatively similar, but there are some subtle differences. It will be a matter of who assesses the conditions quickest and adapts best,” said England all-rounder Freya Kemp, as quoted by the ICC. press release.
Australia have refined the art of adaptation over the years and have come to the Middle East with designs set to win a landmark fourth consecutive ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
They have won three in a row twice and failed to make it four in 2016, when the West Indies recorded an eight-wicket win at Eden Gardens to clinch their maiden title.
Australia have a new captain in Alyssa Healy, but the same ruthless mentality, with Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield adding spice to their established core of big names.
The team that beats the world knows they will have to work harder than ever to make history.
“This time there are no real expectations from our group,” says Healy. “But I expect it to be a very tough tournament. All ten teams have a chance to win it.”
Australia's Group A match with India in Sharjah on October 13 is a date to have circled in your diary.
The two teams that featured in the 2020 final at the MCG meet again and India can put the defending champions through a trial run, with tweakers Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav both particularly effective in the shortest format of the game.
The opening match in Group A is also a stunner, with Sri Lanka facing Pakistan in a repeat of the recent Asia Cup semi-final won by the former. New Zealand, number 3 in the world, completes a formidable group.
In Group B, South Africa hopes to be one of the biggest challengers. They have the momentum of global events on their side after reaching their first final on home soil two years ago and the captaincy appears to have brought the best out of Laura Wolvaardt.
“Reaching our first ever World Cup final in 2023 was a big milestone moment for us. It was a big 'break the barriers and push the boundaries' moment for the team. Now we would like to go a step further and push our boundaries. the trophy,” said Wolvaardt
You won't want to miss South Africa's Group B match against England on October 7 as Jon Lewis' side continue to employ an attacking style in their bid to capture major silverware.
Also in Group B are the original hosts Bangladesh, who will be able to call on no fewer than five spinners to exploit the conditions, the West Indies, and first-timers Scotland.
Only the top two teams in the stacked, five-man groups will reach the semi-finals on October 17 and 18 in Dubai and Sharjah.
The world will be watching on October 20 when two teams meet in Dubai for what promises to be an unmissable final. Let the games begin.
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