The road to 2020: How the teams are shaping up
Here’s how the teams are taking shape, with 129 women’s T20Is played thus far in 2019, and plenty more to come.
Australia
The defending champions will soon head to the UK for a multi-format Ashes series, which will include three T20Is. Australia then have a home series with Sri Lanka later this year, before hosting a tri-series involving India and England, just prior to the T20 World Cup 2020 opener against India in Sydney on February 21.
Player in form: Although yet to play any T20Is in 2019, Ellyse Perry’s 777 runs at an average of over 86 in the Women's Big Bash League reaffirmed her place as Australia’s major weapon.
In @Melbourne on March 8, International Women's Day 2020, the @MCG hosts the @ICC Women's #T20WorldCup final!
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) January 28, 2019
The match presents an opportunity to set a world record attendance to a women's sporting fixture, which stands at 90,185. pic.twitter.com/RLKdEawsuo
England
England have won all six of their T20Is since losing the final to Australia in the West Indies in 2018. Their recent form has included series sweeps of India and Sri Lanka. They will be tested in the coming months with home series against West Indies and Australia.
Player in form: Danielle Wyatt is England’s highest scorer this year with 226 runs in six innings against India and Sri Lanka.
New Zealand
The White Ferns swept India 3-0 in a home series earlier this year as they look to break their T20 World Cup drought in 2020. On each occasion they batted first, New Zealand made over 150 runs and in their lone run chase, reeled in 136 on the last ball with four wickets to spare.
The Australia wicket-keeper chats about her evolution and a special 18 months for Australia and women's cricket.
Player in form: Sophie Devine scored over 150 runs in three innings and took four wickets for the series against India, and is now ranked No.2 on the MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I Rankings for All-rounders.
West Indies
The 2016 champions travelled for an historic tour of Pakistan in which they triumphed 2-1 thanks to a win in match two via a Super Over. Last month, the Windies comfortably accounted for Ireland 3-0 and are currently readying themselves for a sterner test against England.
Player in form: Although currently out with a shoulder injury, Deandra Dottin’s 158 runs at 79 during the series against Pakistan showcased her damaging ball-striking at the top of the order.
India
India have been out of form in the T20 format, losing all six of their matches against England and New Zealand. The Women’s T20 Challenge on the sidelines of the IPL was a timely
event for some extra matches with 18-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues named player of the series.
Player in form: Smiriti Madhana has scored 252 runs in six innings at an average of 42 and is currently ranked No.3 in the ICC rankings.
South Africa
Stand-in captain Sune Luus declared South Africa’s bowling attack ‘the best in the world’ and the Proteas needed it to edge out Pakistan 3-2 in a five-game series. In February on home soil, the Proteas were too strong for Sri Lanka, sweeping the series 3-0.
Player in Form: Luus won back-to-back Player of the Match awards against Sri Lanka, taking six wickets at an average of 6 and scoring some handy runs.
Pakistan
An increase in volume of T20 cricket has seen performances improve with tightly contested series against West Indies and South Africa proving they’ve made improvements since crashing out of the 2018 tournament. Leading South Africa 2-1 and with 172 runs on the board in game four, Pakistan would have hoped to close out the series away from home before
the Proteas hit back to snatch it 3-2.
Player in form: Nida Dar has been the rock for Pakistan’s batting, scoring 272 in eight matches at an impressive strike rate of over 141.
Sri Lanka
A tough start to 2019 for Sri Lanka with six losses split against South Africa and England. The closest they came to victory was a two-wicket defeat to the Proteas on the penultimate ball of the game. They’ll get opportunity to develop further with an upcoming series against Australia away from home in September.
Player in form: The experienced Shashikala Siriwardene is the only Sri Lanka batter striking at over 100 this year and also has the best bowling economy rate of 6.19.
Qualifying teams
Thailand, Zimbabwe, PNG and USA have all booked places to join Ireland, Bangladesh and Scotland at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier starting August 31 in Dundee. Germany and the Netherlands will battle it out for the final Europe place for the eight-team event. Of particular note has been the form of the Thai women’s team who have won all 12 of their T20Is in 2019.