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 enjoyable gamers have gathered within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the ninth version of a match that continues to develop in attain and influence.
The ten groups will play 23 matches to determine which staff will probably be topped world champions, with Bangladesh and debutants Scotland contesting the opening sport 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 could be fairly totally different,” shares England all-rounder Freya Kemp.
“They’re comparatively comparable however there are some delicate variations. It is going to be a case of who assesses the situations quickest and adapts the most effective.”
Australia have refined the artwork of adapting over time and are available to the Center East with designs on successful a landmark fourth successive ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup.
They’ve twice received three in a row and fell wanting 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 massive names.
The world-beating squad know that they must work more durable than ever earlier than to make historical past.
“There are not any actual expectations on our group this time round,” says Healy. “However I count on it to be a very robust 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 remaining on the MCG meet once more and India might topic the defending champions to a trial by spin, with tweakers Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav each significantly efficient within the shortest type of the sport.
The opening sport in Group A is a cracker, too, with Sri Lanka dealing with Pakistan in a re-run of the current Asia Cup semi-final received by the previous. World No.3 facet 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 facet having reached a maiden remaining on residence soil two years in the past and captaincy seems to have introduced the most effective out of Laura Wolvaardt.
“Reaching our first-ever World Cup remaining in 2023 was an enormous landmark second for us,” stated Wolvaardt. “It was an enormous ‘breaking the obstacles and pushing the boundaries’ second for the staff. Now we would prefer to go that one step additional and carry the trophy.”
You received’t need to miss South Africa’s Group B conflict with England on 7 October, as Jon Lewis’ facet proceed to espouse an attacking type of their bid to seize main silverware.
Additionally in Group B are unique 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 will probably be watching on 20 October when two groups converge on Dubai for what guarantees to be an unmissable remaining. Let the video games start.
