The time for speaking is sort of over and the ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup 2024 is sort of upon us.
150 of the globe’s most fun gamers have gathered within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the ninth version of a match that continues to develop in attain and affect.
The ten groups will play 23 matches to resolve which crew can be topped world champions, with Bangladesh and debutants Scotland contesting the opening recreation on 3 October.
The gamers will do battle throughout two of the world’s main cricket venues: Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai Worldwide Stadium, which is able to take a look at the array of expertise in contrasting and intriguing methods.
“The 2 venues may be fairly completely different,” shares England all-rounder Freya Kemp.
“They’re comparatively related however there are some refined variations. It will likely be a case of who assesses the situations quickest and adapts the perfect.”
Australia have refined the artwork of adapting through the years and are available to the Center East with designs on profitable a landmark fourth successive ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup.
They’ve twice gained three in a row and fell in need of making it 4 in 2016, when West Indies pulled off an eight-wicket win at Eden Gardens to seize their first title.
Australia have a brand new captain in Alyssa Healy however the identical ruthless mentality, with Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield including pep to their established core of huge names.
The world-beating squad know that they should work tougher than ever earlier than to make historical past.
“There aren’t any actual expectations on our group this time round,” says Healy. “However I anticipate it to be a very powerful match. All 10 groups have a shot to win it.”
Australia’s Group A conflict with India in Sharjah on 13 October is one date to have circled in your diary.
The 2 groups that contested the 2020 ultimate on the MCG meet once more and India could topic the defending champions to a trial by spin, with tweakers Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav each notably efficient within the shortest type of the sport.
The opening recreation in Group A is a cracker, too, with Sri Lanka going through Pakistan in a re-run of the current Asia Cup semi-final gained by the previous. World No.3 aspect New Zealand full a fearsome pool.
In Group B, South Africa will hope to be one of many closest challengers. They’ve global-event momentum on their aspect having reached a maiden ultimate on house soil two years in the past and captaincy seems to have introduced the perfect out of Laura Wolvaardt.
“Reaching our first-ever World Cup ultimate in 2023 was an enormous landmark second for us,” stated Wolvaardt. “It was an enormous ‘breaking the limitations and pushing the boundaries’ second for the crew. Now we might prefer to go that one step additional and elevate the trophy.”
You gained’t need to miss South Africa’s Group B conflict with England on 7 October, as Jon Lewis’ aspect proceed to espouse an attacking type of their bid to seize main silverware.
Additionally in Group B are authentic hosts Bangladesh, who can name on no fewer than 5 spinners to take advantage of situations, West Indies and first-timers Scotland.
Solely the highest two groups within the stacked, five-strong teams will make the semi-finals on 17 and 18 October in Dubai and Sharjah.
The world can be watching on 20 October when two groups converge on Dubai for what guarantees to be an unmissable ultimate. Let the video games start.
