Eight things to expect at Women’s T20 World Cup

By Divy Tripathi

Defending champions Australia, former winners England and West Indies, and key Asian sides India and Pakistan have named their squads for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

All the squads named for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Here’s what the expected strategies of these sides could be based on their respective outfits:

Australia bank on express pace in the UAE

Australia are carrying a number of serious fast-bowling options, including Darcie Brown and Tayla Vlaeminck, who could potentially feature together for the first time ever in the international format for the side.

While the pitches in the UAE are expected to help the spinners, added pace on slow and low wickets can be a surprise factor. Skipper Alyssa Healy thinks so too, having stated “Think having those two in our side is a huge point of difference. Especially in conditions we are going to get, having real pace in your side is a real advantage.”

Old wine in a new bottle for Pakistan

A surprise change in leadership ahead of the T20 World Cup might signal a change in approach but in Pakistan’s case, it’s probably about maximising Nida Dar’s potential as a player by lifting the weight of captaincy from her shoulders while also giving Fatima Sana free rein to gauge her potential, not too dissimilar from how South Africa Men’s team did with Graeme Smith in early 2000s.

Pakistan’s squad features just one change from their team for the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, which shows that the selectors have reposed their faith in their old set of players.

India rely on their core’s potential

Much of India’s squad bears a familiar look to the one that has played for the Women in Blue recently. The retention of Yastika Bhatia and Shreyanka Patil despite their injuries means that Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. aren’t looking to mix and change too much in their line-up despite the recent loss to Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final 2024.

India had an impressive home run against the likes of Australia, England, and South Africa over the last year or so, and feel the same assortment of players can work wonders for them.

England look to recent performers to break their ICC drought

England Women have put their faith in players who performed well in the recently concluded domestic Hundred competition, with the likes of slow left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (15 wickets at 9.66), right-arm pacer Lauren Bell (nine wickets at 20.77), all-rounder Dani Gibson (eight wickets at 30.62 and 111 runs at a strike rate of 135.36), and keeper-batter Bess Heath (three dismissals and 48 runs at a strike-rate of 97.95) included in the squad.

While this means some of the old faces miss out, it ensures an in-form line-up led by the experienced Heather Knight will take field in the UAE ahead to hunt for their first ICC Women’s title since 2017.

Old guns to lead West Indies’ title hunt

Deandra Dottin’s reversal of international retirement sees the return of an experienced hand in the West Indies line-up. Dottin will now form the leadership group with former captain Stafanie Taylor, current skipper Hayley Matthews, and vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle giving the team a significant boost in terms of experience.

The 2016 champions haven’t made the semi-finals of the event since their home World Cup in 2018, and will look on their senior stars to turn it around in UAE.

Scotland stick to Qualifier formula

After stunning the field at the Qualifier earlier in the year, Scotland have tinkered little for their return to UAE to take on the world's best at the tournament proper.

Thirteen squad members return from the Qualifier, adding the experience of Abbi Aitken-Drummond and including spinner Olivia Bell included after strong performances on a recent tour of The Netherlands.

The Scots featured in T20I and ODI tri-series againt the Dutch and Papua New Guinea, prevailing in five of six matches across the two formats in spite of the absence of key players, sisters Sarah and Kathryn Bryce.

Wolvaardt a breah of fresh air leading the South African pack

Laura Wolvaardt leads South Africa in her first ICC tournament as captain, as the Proteas aim to evolve after defeat in the 2023 Final.

Ex-captain Sune Luus remains a key part of the side, particlarly with the bat, though Wolvaardt may lean more into Luus' spin-bowling abilities, backing up the work of Nonkululeko Mlaba and her left-arm orthodox.

Likely to open the batting, and averaging 49.50 with the bat in 16 T20Is as skipper, expect Wolvaardt to show little panic even with the burden of leadership.

Experienced New Zealand squad members still shouldering a bulk of the work

With the next generation of New Zealand's women's team still green, the White Ferns are again banking on the likes of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates among others.

The pair have featured in every Women's T20 World Cup to this point, and runs from each of them at the top of the order will likely dictate the campaign.

New Zealad lean into youth more on the bowling side, and the side is better covered in adjusting to conditions, should they need to adapt.

Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold should feature, and the side welcome back Rosemary Mair from injury. On the spin front, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr and Fran Jonas bolster the bowling brigade.

More on the New Zealand squad