Can Windies, Bangladesh and Scotland spice up Group B? | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, 2024

The 10 participating teams in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup are divided into groups in such a manner that it feels like someone was trying to make Group A a potential blood bath and Group B just ensure that at least two non-Asian sides apart from Australia would have the best chances to reach the knockouts. 

That’s why while you have Australia, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Group A, England, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Scotland form Group B. 

Beginning with Group B, England and South Africa look like the strongest contenders to finish in the top two, but West Indies and the other two sides can put up a brave challenge thanks to some brilliant match winners in their ranks. One loss for either the Proteas or the English, and they might find themselves facing Australia in the semi-final, a ghastly proposition for any team in women’s cricket. 

Let’s see how the five teams are stacking up in Group B. 

England 

Going into this T20 World Cup, apart from their batting firepower, England’s spin attack will be their main weapon.  

In Sophie Ecclestone (left-arm spin), Sarah Glenn (leg-spin), and Charlie Dean (off-spin), England have the most lethal spin attack in their group without question. Not only do all three offer striking ability with the ball, but are no mugs with the bat either. They can help England with some crucial lower-order runs. 

However, the English pace bowling department with Lauren Bell and Freya Kemp as sure shot starters, lacks big stage experience. It would ultimately come down to how well the spinners bowl. 

Danny Wyatt, Maia Bouchier at the opening slot, followed by Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight and Amy Jones makes England one of the most dangerous batting units. There is not only firepower, but a lot of form as well, with Knight being in supreme touch from the Hundred. Jones has blown hot and cold off late and therefore finishing can be a problem for England down the order.  

Predicted Playing XI – Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (c), Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell

Bangladesh

It was supposed to be a historic home T20 World Cup for Bangladesh, but ultimately wasn’t to be for Nigar Sultana and co. Without the home comfort, the Bangladeshi unit looks like one of the weakest teams in this competition. They would need to punch above their weight in both batting and bowling to challenge other teams in their group. 

Nigar is the only batter in the side who exudes confidence and can strike consistently at more than 100. They are amongst the worst batting teams, hitting a boundary only after every 11 deliveries, which is way below the global standards. Despite some promising domestic performances by the likes of Shathi Rani at the top, Nigar would be expected to carry their batting and notch up defendable totals. 

The Bangladeshi team does have a well-rounded spin attack with multiple off-spinners, an X factor of a young leg spinner (Rabeya Khan) and the experience of Nahida Akter’s left-arm spin. Jahanara Alam and Marufa Akter will probably be the only tried and tested pace attack they have. Marufa, especially, can be impressive under the lights. 

Also read – Women’s T20WC 2024 – Richa, Dottin, Kapp and other X-factor players

It’s a young side of talented individuals (average age of just 24) with a good mix of experience which can challenge the others in their group. 

Predicted Playing XI – Shathi Rani, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana Joty (c & wk), Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam 

West Indies

The only other team apart from England and Australia to win a Women’s T20 World Cup, West Indies have been on a downward trajectory since then. Despite the likes of Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin in their side, they might struggle to challenge South Africa and England. 

Matthews, who has a tremendous record of scoring 37% of her team’s runs since 2023, will once again be a one-stop solution for every problem for the Windies side. Dottin solves many issues, including pace bowling at the death and providing some fire power to the batting lineup. 

Experienced Stafanie Taylor adds a really good anchor to their batting lineup. Mathews can’t pull them out of trouble every time and therefore they would need others to bat aggressively. 

It’s just remarkable that Mathews is also one of the best bowlers in the side. However, their bowling attack lacks a spearhead, leading to them being unable to pick up early wickets and having the worst strike rate in the powerplay amongst all participating teams this year. Do look out for Qiana Joseph’s left-arm spin though. 

Predicted Playing XI: Hayley Mathews (c), Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamila Connell. 

Scotland

The official underdogs of this World Cup made it to the tournament through the Qualifiers, and as a result, along with Sri Lanka are the only teams to have played in UAE in the last two years. 

That experience would become really crucial as almost all teams would come hard at the World Cup debutants. It would be the Bryce sisters (Kathryn and Sarah), who are quite active in English domestic cricket, and have a lot of experience playing tournaments like the Hundred that would be key to their campaign. Kathryn has also played in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Along with her steady batting and booming inswingers, she would be extremely crucial in the powerplay for Scotland. 

Apart from Kathryn, left-arm spinner Abtaha Maqsood and pacer Rachel Slater would be in focus as the leading bowlers of the team. If the batters manage to post totals around 140 or above, which they have failed to do consistently, then the bowling can actually come up and assert itself. 

In the larger context, a strong performance against much better ranked teams here, including a win against Bangladesh in the inaugural game of the World Cup can really hype up Scottish women’s cricket. 

Predicted Playing XI: Saskia Horley, Sarah Bryce (wk), Kathryn Bryce (c), Megan McColl, Alisa Lister, Darcet Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Chloe Abel, Abtaha Maqsood, Rachel Slater

South Africa

The finalists from the last T20 World Cup have a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) problem. It may sound crazy, but sample this. While their top order batting has been absolutely superb this year, and amongst the best in the world, their spinners take 32 deliveries to take a wicket, and the pacers have the second worst economy and the third highest ball/wicket taken in the period. 

The reasons are clear. Apart from Nonkululeko Mlaba, they don’t have striking spin option strong enough to trouble the opposition teams which will all come well-prepared for spin. Seshnie Naidu, the leg spinner, is a good addition to the squad and might prove a point of difference. However, the bowling attack would once again look desperately at Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka to get them some wickets. 

Their batting story is completely contrasting. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who wasn’t exactly known for big hitting, is striking at over 130 and Kapp has a strike rate of 140 plus, which is the best for a top order batter this year. Anneke Bosch and Tazmin Brits have also got some runs under their belt in the recent series against Pakistan and along with Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon make for a solid top seven for the Proteas. 

Also read – Sune Luus: Became an off-spinner to give the team some balance

If they can manage to bowl well, and someone like Khaka can rise to the occasion, South Africa should be an extremely strong contender for the Semi-finals. 

Predicted Playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Seshnie Naidu, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

With inputs from Akshay Kumaraswamy

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