The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is left with less than two weeks to commence and the 10-team tournament features a talented player from each team who is expected to deliver a sensational performance. It includes names such as Smriti Mandhana, Deandra Dottin, Fatima Sana, Tayla Vlaeminck, Chamari Athapaththu, Suzie Bates, Shorna Akter, Sarah Bryce, Tazmin Brits and Heather Knight.
Let’s delve deeper into this in-depth review to know more about these core players taking part in this T20 World Cup.
1. Smriti Mandhana (INDIA):
The Indian vice-captain and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning captain is set to play a crucial role as a right-handed opening batter. By the next World Cup, the Indian women’s team’s 35-year-old skipper Harmanpreet Kaur would be 37 or nearing 38. It seems that Smriti is expected to take the leadership role from her and the upcoming T20 World Cup will reveal more about the Indian women’s team’s future captain.
2. Deandra Dottin (WEST INDIES):
Two years after retiring from international cricket, Deandra Dottin marks her return to the West Indies squad in this T20 World Cup. The 33-year-old all-rounder had to face several obstacles in franchise cricket such as injuries and form issues. An outstanding performance would enhance West Indies’ chances to lift the World Cup trophy. Also, Dottin would easily grab multiple opportunities in the franchise cricket that is growing rapidly in the modern era of the sport.
3. Fatima Sana (PAKISTAN):
As a 22-year-old fast bowling all-rounder, Fatima Sana is the youngest skipper in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. At present, the Pakistan cricket team requires Sana as a player rather than a captain. Her batting techniques have been improved, and she ranked as the highest run scorer (101 runs in 3 innings) in the recently concluded 3-match T20I series against South Africa.
Sana as a Pakistani team captain has to undergo immense pressure off-field and it would be one of the biggest challenges in her five-year-old cricket career.
4. Tayla Vlaeminck (AUSTRALIA):
Tayla Vlaeminck is one such rare pace bowler in the Australian women’s cricket team who can bowl at a speed of more than 120 kmph. However, she faced regular injuries in her career which resulted in playing just 18 T20Is for her team, despite being a member of the World Cup 2018 winning squad.
Once again Vlaeminck is back into the squad and delivered a fantastic performance against India A and in the ongoing 3-match T20I series against the New Zealand women’s team.
5. Chamari Athapaththu (SRI LANKA):
Possibly, the Sri Lankan legendary all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu might make her last World Cup appearance. Recently, her team won the T20 Asia Cup 2024 by triumphing over the defending champions India by 8 wickets. Athapaththu’s 43-ball-61-run knock was essential during the chase. But, it was the collaboration of the young players namely Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari, who guided Sri Lanka to the winning title.
This World Cup, it would be interesting to watch how the captain Chamari Athapaththu balances her role as a captain and all-rounder.
6. Suzie Bates (NEW ZEALAND):
The 37-year-old Suzie Bates who commenced her T20 World Cup journey in the inaugural edition in 2009 might conclude as the last one in the forthcoming edition. Although the former New Zealand captain isn’t a risk-taking batter, she can bat aggressively based on the game’s situation.
7. Shorna Akter (BANGLADESH):
In the inaugural season of the Women’s U-19 World Cup in 2023, Shorna Akter made an impact in South Africa. The 17-year-old all-rounder is one of the talented right-handed batters who can deliver consistent performances with a strike rate of more than 100. She scored 248 runs in 21 T20I innings played so far.
Her leg spin bowling techniques will add a huge depth to the bowling line-up and be beneficial for Bangladesh on the spin-friendly tracks of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
8. Sarah Bryce (SCOTLAND):
Having appeared in 54 T20Is, Sarah Bryce scored 1207 runs in 54 innings. With an average of 28.73 and a strike rate of 108.44 in T20Is, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter would make use of this World Cup tournament to establish herself as one of the most talented cricketers in women’s cricket history. Also, the Scotland Women’s team would get a huge recognition if such happens.
9. Tazmin Brits (SOUTH AFRICA):
From the inspiring journey of a Javelin world champion in her young days to playing a T20 World Cup final in 2023, Tazmin Brits has experienced several thrilling moments of her life. The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batter’s presence in the top order would bolster the batting lineup. In 54 matches, Brits scored 1385 runs at an average of 31.47 and a strike rate of 106.21.
10. Heather Knight (ENGLAND):
The England team skipper Heather Knight has a good record in T20Is with 2067 runs in 107 innings at an average of 25.51 and a strike rate of 119.89. However, England hasn’t been able to win the T20 World Cup under Knight’s captaincy since 2016 despite the presence of quality players such as Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt, and Sophie Ecclestone. But, this time, having power hitters like Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier would strengthen the batting unit. Finally, the 9th edition of the T20 World Cup is more important for Heather as a captain than an all-rounder
