Ten young stars primed to take the Women’s T20 World Cup by storm
We take a look at 10 players who have what it takes to make a serious splash at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa.
Alice Capsey – England
England have unearthed a gem in Alice Capsey. The big-hitting batter slots in at number three to add power to the top order, and has already shown that she can score quick runs against the best teams in the world.
Match highlights as England overcame South Africa in a thrilling ICC Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture.
In her 10 T20I appearances since making her debut at the age of 17 back in July last year, Capsey has scored 234 runs at an average of 33.42 and a strike rate of 127.86.
You can expect to see her helping England get off to many fast starts in the tournament.
Marufa Akter – Bangladesh
A star of the recent U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Marufa Akter will hope to make a similar smash at senior level.
The 18-year-old made her debut on the tour to New Zealand in December, and picked up valuable experience in South African conditions with the U19s last month.
A classy strike bowler, Akter will be a threat particularly first up with the new ball.
Amy Hunter – Ireland
Young Amy Hunter made history when she became the youngest ever player to score an international senior century last year, with her unbeaten 121* in an ODI against Zimbabwe coming on the day of her 16th birthday back in 2021.
Hunter has continued to grow her game since then, scoring 216 T20I runs in her 13 appearances in the format to-date.
Capable of also keeping wicket, Hunter was part of the Ireland U19 squad that competed well at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January. And her quickfire 26 from 14 balls at the top of the order got Ireland off to a great start in their warm-up victory over world number one Australia.
Richa Ghosh – India
India are blessed with a host of big names, and youngster Richa Ghosh has what it takes step up to that star level in the tournament.
A dominant display with both bat and ball helped India overcome Bangladesh in their final #T20WorldCup warm-up encounter.
Still just 19, the already-experienced keeper-batter helped the youth side win the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup last month, performing well behind the stumps and chipping in when required with the bat.
But more will be asked of her in the senior competition, and she looks to be in great form, hitting a brilliant 91* against Bangladesh in the final warm-up match.
Zaida James – West Indies
West Indies will hope that the all-round talent of Zaida James can boost them to a new level at the T20 World Cup.
The 18-year-old is a more-than-handy batter, and offers a decent left-arm spin option too.
She hit back-to-back half-centuries for West Indies in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup last month and picked up six wickets in the tournament, earning her a first cap for the senior side and a call-up to this tournament.
Darcie Brown – Australia
One of the most exciting bowlers to emerge in world cricket in the last couple of years, Australia’s Darcie Brown has pace, bounce and swing.
That triple threat makes her a hugely useful addition to the Australian bowling attack, and she often makes breakthroughs in the powerplay.
Her 4/17 against India in the warm-up matches suggests she could be perfect to extract something extra from the South African pitches.
Harshitha Samarawickrama – Sri Lanka
The talent of Sri Lankan batter Harshitha Samarawickrama was clear for a young age, and she made her international debut way back in 2016.
The 24-year-old has taken a while to adjust to international cricket, but now looks ready to stamp her mark on the world game.
She was outstanding in the Asia Cup last autumn, amassing 202 runs in the tournament, second only to India’s Jemimah Rodrigues.
And the top-order batter looked in classy touch during the warm-ups too, hitting a half century against Ireland.
Fatima Sana – Pakistan
Pakistan have been strengthened with both bat and ball thanks to the emergence of young all-rounder Fatima Sana.
Her right-arm medium pace has proven very effective at the top level in 20 T20I appearances to-date, and she is a useful hitter too when required.
Sana's time to step into the spotlight in international cricket isn’t far away.
Nadine de Klerk – South Africa
The South African all-rounder has improved hugely in recent years thanks in large part to her experience in franchise leagues, most notably with Brisbane Heat in the WBBL.
Excited South Africa ready to perform | ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
An economical right-arm medium bowler, De Klerk also offers plenty with the bat, and is primed to step into a starring role for her national team.
She averages 25.41 for South Africa in her 33 T20Is, and showed in a blistering 27-ball 50* against England in the warm-up match that she has plenty of power to her game too.
Georgia Plimmer – New Zealand
If New Zealand are looking for an injection of power in the middle order then Georgia Plimmer could be just the ticket.
The youngster turned 19 just two days before the start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and is on the cusp of making a splash at senior international level too.
The Kiwi hierarchy have earmarked the right-hander as a prospect for some time, capping her last summer and batting her in the top four in both of the warm-up matches in South Africa.
Her form in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup bodes well. Plimmer struck 155 runs in five innings in that tournament, scoring at a strike rate of 143.51.