Road to South Africa 2023 begins as ICC pathway events return
- The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier is two steps away from South Africa 2023
- France and Turkey are competing for the first time in an ICC women’s event
ICC women’s events will return for the first time since the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on 8 March 2020, as six teams compete in the European qualifier on the road to the next Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa 2023.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier which is two steps away from the 2023 tournament takes place between 26 and 30 August and sees France and Turkey competing in an ICC women’s event for the very first time, alongside Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland. The event which also sees the first ICC pathway event taking place since February 2020 is being hosted at La Manga in Spain where the top team qualifies for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2022.
Of the six teams participating, Ireland starts the tournament as the top-ranked team (10) in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20 Team Rankings and take strong form into the event having overcome the Dutch Lionesses last month in Malahide (2-1 series win), and Scotland in Belfast back in May (3-1 series win).
Germany will also be feeling quietly confident going into the Europe Qualifier, having defeated neighbours France in their five-match series in Krefeld in July, extending the Golden Eagles’ unbeaten run to 14 matches.
The event will be live-streamed globally in partnership with IMG, ensuring more cricket from more nations than ever before is accessible to fans around the world. The partnership will also deliver ICC women’s pathway event content for ICC digital channels providing the opportunity to attract new fans globally. Details of how to access the stream will be released in due course.
ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We are delighted to welcome the return of ICC pathway events to Europe with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier starting at the end of this month, and in particular to see France and Turkey making history in competing in their first ICC women’s event.
“I would like to thank the host Cricket Espana, all the participating teams and everyone involved for their patience and hard work to get to this point.”
Germany captain Anuradha Dodaballapur said: “We are really pumped for the qualifiers and have trained hard since the last one focusing and improving key areas individually and collectively as a squad. A lot of positives from our series exploits over the last year that we take with us going into this competition. It is a tough pool, no doubt, and will test our overall skills, but we love a good challenge and look forward to the event.”
France captain Emmanuelle Brelivet said: “I am looking forward to playing in an ICC event for the very first time, this is history for women’s cricket in France and we are excited to play against high quality teams. The whole French National team has worked hard for months to be ready for the qualifier after a difficult year with the pandemic. We want to show cricket is a growing sport in France and we will give our best to succeed.”
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier fixtures are:
26 August 2021 - Netherlands vs Scotland (10:30); Ireland vs Germany (10:30); France vs Netherlands (15:30); Turkey vs Ireland (15:30)
27 August 2021 - Scotland vs Turkey (10:30); Germany vs France (10:30); Ireland vs Scotland (15:30); Netherlands vs Germany (15:30)
28 August 2021 - Rest Day
29 August 2021 Turkey vs Netherlands (10:30); France vs Ireland (10:30); Germany vs Turkey (15:30); Scotland vs France (15:30)
30 August 2021 France vs Turkey (10:30); Scotland vs Germany (10:30); Netherlands vs Ireland (15:30)