Bats, Balls and Brilliance: Get Ready for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

The wait is finally over as Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the cricketing world with an action-filled October starting today.

Ten teams will compete in 23 thrilling matches, all vying for the coveted title of world champions in the ninth edition of the tournament scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates from October 3 to 20.

The 18-day competition will kick off with an opening game in the afternoon between Bangladesh and debutants Scotland, followed by a Pakistan-Sri Lanka clash in the evening at Sharjah Cricket Stadium (SCS).

The action will unfold at two of the finest cricket venues: SCS and Dubai International Stadium, both set to challenge the players’ skills in unique ways. About 150 of the world’s most talented players are ready to showcase their skills in the championship which continues to capture hearts and expand its global footprint.

Australia look out for another title

Defending champions Australia, a powerhouse in women’s cricket, is on a mission to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. Under new captain Alyssa Healy, the Australian squad will look to tackle the challenge of adapting to the UAE conditions.

Team Australia celebrating after winning the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup final in Cape Town Reuters

The team hopes to continue mastering the art of adaptation as the six-time champions have won the title three-in-a-row twice, and fell short of making it four in 2016, when West Indies pulled off an eight-wicket win at Eden Gardens to capture their first title.

Healy has been a member of all six of Australia´s prior title wins but said she was entering this year's tournament with “no real expectations”.

“It's the best against the best and whoever can be most consistent or win those little moments along the way can get the job done,” Healy said in an International Cricket Council (ICC)’s press release.

Breaking the barriers

South Africa, who lost to Australia in last year's final in Cape Town, have a new captain in Laura Wolvaardt who is keen to build on that performance.

“Reaching our first-ever World Cup final in 2023 was a big landmark moment for us,” she wrote on the ICC website. The Proteas surprisingly beat England in the semi-finals. “It was a big ´breaking the barriers and pushing the boundaries´ moment for the team.

South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt during an ODI against India in Bengaluru BCCI

“Before that, we´d made the semi-finals on a number of occasions, so to be able to go that one step further was very important for us as a group. Now we´d like to go that one step further and lift the trophy," she added.

Heather Knight´s experienced England side, which includes Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell, will be keen for revenge when they meet the Proteas on October 7.

Landmark prize money

The champions are bound to receive $2.34 million USD following the final on October 20, while the runners-up will receive $1.17 million, contributing to a total prize pool of $7,958,080.

This marks a 225% increase from last year’s tournament and positions cricket as the only major team sport to offer equal prize money for its men’s and women’s World Cup events.

Players to watch out

Here is a look at six players who are at the forefront of their team's hopes of lifting the trophy on October 20.

Beth Mooney (Australia)

The seasoned Australia opener is top of the ICC's T20 batter rankings going into the World Cup and the six-time champions will be relying on her once again at the top of the order. A key member of the sides that won the last three editions of the T20 World Cup, Mooney was named 'Player of the Series' in 2020 after nailing an unbeaten 78 in the final as the Aussies saw off India. Having clattered 50 from 30 balls in the warm-up win over England in Dubai, there is every reason to think the 30-year-old is primed to add to her two T20I hundreds.

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

Wolvaardt aims to lead her team to the championship after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition. At 25 years old, she brings a wealth of experience, having debuted as a 16-year-old in an ODI against England in 2016. As a right-handed opening batter, she ranks fifth in the T20 rankings, the highest position for any player from her country. Throughout her career, she has scored one century and 11 fifties in 66 T20 innings.

Deepti Sharma (India)

Notorious to some for her controversial 'Mankad' dismissal of England's Charlie Dean in an ODI two years ago, Deepti Sharma is celebrated more widely for the all-round excellence of her game. The 27-year old, who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin, is ranked second among T20 bowlers worldwide and the third best all-rounder. India have never won a women's World Cup and Sharma believes victory in the UAE could change the sport at home: "If we win the World Cup things will really change from every perspective and each woman will want to play cricket after that, so I'm hoping for the best," she told ESPNCricinfo.

Deepti Sharma takes a catch during a match against Australia in Mumbai BCCI

Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

Pakistan will be playing under the leadership of the 22-year-old Fatima Sana who debuted in 2019. Following a challenging period of time, Sana has emerged as a bright talent in Pakistan cricket and a beacon of hope. While she hasn't yet reached a fifty for her country, the fast-bowling all-rounder has consistently contributed with at least 20 runs in her last six international innings. As the young captain, she aims to increase her tally of 31 T20 wickets to help Pakistan make an impact in the tournament.

Sophie Ecclestone (England)

The 25-year-old left-arm spinner from Cheshire made her international debut eight years ago. She is now the highest-ranked bowler in the ICC's T20 and ODI rankings and in June she became the youngest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets. Nearly six feet tall, Ecclestone brings accuracy, economy and guile to the attack, making her a key weapon for skipper Heather Knight. "I love captaining her," says Knight. "The control she gives you as a captain and the attacking threat she gives you on both edges is really cool."

Abtaha Maqsood (Scotland)

At just 25 years old, Maqsood is a promising leg-spinner who has already achieved 54 T20 wickets at an impressive average of 15 over 53 matches for Scotland. Her skills could significantly boost the Scottish team, particularly in the spinner-friendly conditions of the UAE. This World Cup presents a unique opportunity for both Maqsood and her country, which is making its T20 World Cup debut, to have a breakthrough international tournament.

Abtaha Maqsood gets ready to bowl ICC