Group B of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup includes the champion of the inaugural edition England along with South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Scotland. Let’s review these teams to get an idea of who has a better chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the tournament.
England
England Women’s team is currently ranked second in the Women’s T20 International ranking, just behind Australia. They are coming off 13 wins from 15 T20I matches they have played this year and most favourite to proceed to the Semi-final from this group. They have a balanced squad with both young and experienced players performing at critical moments. They have lost their warm-up match against Australia but got required practice and will be raring to go.
Key Players: The captain Heather Knight will remain the key force and will depend on her all-rounders like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey and Charlie Dean to maintain the team balance. There are also attacking batters like Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley and Amy Jones. The experienced spinner Sophie Ecclestone can be a match winner in the helpful conditions n UAE.
South Africa
South Africa Women’s team keep fighting and look to produce results against the strong teams. They were the hosts in the last edition of this tournament and reached final by beating England in the semi-final. Although they lost the final to Australia they would like to do an encore. They have mixed results in 2024 as they lost to Australia and then to Sri Lanka at home before drawing series in India and then beat Pakistan in Pakistan by 2-1 margin. They also lost their both warm-up matches against New Zealand and India.
Key Players: The all-rounder Marizanne Kapp remain their most important player despite reaching 35 in few months time. Another all-rounder Sune Luus will expect to play a key role with her leg break along with the opening partnership of the captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits.
West Indies
The West Indies team won the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016 and also reached the Semi-final in the 2018 edition playing at home. However, they have failed to cross the group stage in the last two editions of the tournament and they would look to change it this year. They have won two back to back series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka this year, winning 6 out of 8 of those matches which will provide them lots of confidence despite losing both their warm-up matches against India and Australia. They have long list of slow bowlers in their rank who can make an impact in the slow pitches of UAE.
Key Players: The captain Heley Matthews and the ex-captain Stafanie Taylor remain their most impactful players with their all-round skill. Deandra Dottin and the experienced leg spinner Afy Fletcher will also play key roles.
Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Women’s team is coming off an eventful last two months in their country. The political unrest in their country resulted in shifting of this tournament to UAE but they would hope that it does not have any impact on their preparation for this tournament. Overall, Bangladesh can not boast of as one of the in-form teams of this tournament as they have lost 10 out of the 12 T20I matches they have played this year with their only wins coming against Thailand and Malaysia. They had also lost their first warm-up match against Sri Lanka but their win over Pakistan I he second warm-up match will give them some confidence.
Key Players: A lot will depend on their captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who will require to lead from the front along with making key contributions with the bat. In bowling the experienced Jahanara Alam and young Marufa Akter will lead their attack.
Scotland
Scotland is going to play their first ever T20 World Cup. Although their men’s team has played in the global stage since the 1999 World Cup, for their ladies this is their first chance to show their metal in an ICC global tournament. They have qualified through the ICC qualifier route where they have beaten other strong teams like Zimbabwe, USA and Ireland to book their spot along with Sri Lanka. After the tournament they have also beaten Netherlands and Papua New Guinea in a Tri-series and also beaten Pakistan in their first warm-up game. Their first match of the tournament is against Bangladesh and they will hope to deliver a win against their weakest opponent in the group.
Key Players: The captain Sarah Bryce and her sister Kathryn are two most experienced players and will lead the batting. Both the players ae regulars in the Hundred with some other Scotland players and Kathryn has even played in WPL in India. The leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood can be their X-factor with her smart legbreaks.
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