• Women’s World T20 2018 – a beginner’s guide

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    Everything you need to know about the premier T20 event in women’s cricket set for November in the Caribbean.

    The ICC Women’s World Twenty20 is the ultimate competition in the women’s T20 game. It will be staged from 9-24 November in the Caribbean, with 10 teams taking part in the tournament.

    Who are these 10 teams?
    The Windies, as hosts, qualify automatically and will be joined by three-time winners Australia, ODI World Cup winners England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

    But that’s just eight teams… ?
    The two remaining spots will be decided after the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in the Netherlands from 3-14 July. Bangladesh, who won the Asia Cup earlier this month, the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates will all compete for those two spots.

    Fair enough. Where in the West Indies do they play these games?
    The tournament will be hosted across three venues in the Caribbean: Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium (Antigua), the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground (Saint Lucia) and the Guyana National Stadium (Guyana).

    So, what happens in the tournament?
    The 10 teams will be divided into two pools. Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and one of the qualifiers will make up one group, while England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Windies, and the other qualifier make up the second group.

    Go on…
    The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The winner of each semi-final will clash in the final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday, 24 November.

    Who are the likely frontrunners?
    It’s anyone’s guess at this stage! Australia are the most successful side in the tournament, having won the trophy thrice before. But the Windies won it in India two years ago, and with the tournament being played at home, they will want to retain the title.

    England, the reigning ICC Women’s World Cup champions, are also expected to be there or thereabouts in the final stages, as are India – last year’s World Cup finalists – and New Zealand, who boast a well-balanced squad. England and New Zealand, in fact, posted record T20I totals just the other day. And don’t count out any of the potential qualifiers, including Bangladesh, who boast recent triumphs over the might of India!

    Why is this particular edition being talked about so highly?
    This will be the first-ever stand-alone ICC Women’s World Twenty20 – the previous five events were hosted alongside the men’s version of the tournament – and it goes to show the ever-increasing popularity of the women’s game.

    Tell me more…
    The tournament – all 23 matches, across three venues – will be broadcast live to ‘maintain the momentum and focus on women’s cricket’. Furthermore, the Decision Review System (DRS) will be used in an ICC World Twenty20 event for the first time ever.

    Is it that big?
    It’s huge. You can find out more about DRS here.

    Thanks. Is there anything else I need to know?
    There are a few old rivalries being re-ignited that you cannot miss: the India vs Pakistan clash on 11 November, and the trans-Tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand on 13 November will be ‘can’t miss’ cricket.

    In fact, just follow the whole tournament at https://www.icc-cricket.com/.

    Source: ICC

    Photo: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images

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