The Women’s World Cup is just days away with the tournament scheduled to be underway from Friday 4th of March 2022 as the hosts New Zealand will kick-start the proceedings as they lock horns against West Indies.
Teams have been gearing up for the biggest stage of them all, with New Zealand hosting the prestigious tournament after the previous edition in England in 2017, teams will be excited to prove their mettle and take the title home.
Australia
Australia are the most successful nation in the history of the Women’s World Cup, the six-time champions will look to add the seventh feather to their cap after their exit in the semifinals of the tournament in 2017. The team is used to the conditions offered by the host nation and would love to take advantage of the situation.
The Australian side hasn’t put a wrong foot forward since their defeat at the hands of India and are the prime contenders to win the title this time around. The team has a strong batting order with Alyssa Healy, Rachel Haynes, and skipper, Meg Lanning who will be chipping to have a go this year.
South Africa
South Africa has been one of the most successful sides in recent years, the team has won the majority of the home and away series they have been a part of and boasts a recent win rate of 76%.
The South African team is packed to the brim with stars who can turn the tide of the game in their favor. While the side will certainly feel the blow after missing out on skipper, Dane van Niekerk due to an ankle injury, they have the potential to make their way to the finals and maybe clinch their maiden title.
New Zealand
The hosts New Zealand are vying for their second title, since their maiden title in 2000 where they defeated rivals Australia to lift the trophy. The Whiteherns are coming off a big morale-boosting against India in their home series where they dominated the visitors winning the series 4-1. Amelia Kerr was the Women of the Series and will look to continue with her form as her side looks for their second title at home conditions.
England
England will look to defend their title after their win over India in the finals of the 2017 edition
Defending champions England would love to add another title to their collection after edging past India in the finals of 2017. While the side has struggled this season, with a big defeat at the hands of Australia in the Ashes, the squad has the calibre to bounce back strong and win their fifth title this time around.
The English team has a strong depth in their bowling lineup who will love the conditions in New Zealand. Nat Schiver has been the cornerstone to this side and could be one of the key reasons if the side makes it into the finals.
Pakistan
Pakistan will start their campaign with a clash against arch-rivals India in the tournament and will like to kick-start the proceedings with a win over one of the pole contenders to win the title.
While the Pakistan team has produced some good results, consistency has been a big issue for the side and they will look to fix the issues. The batters haven’t been able to deliver recently and the side has relied on their bowling unit. Bismah Maroof will have a lot on her plate, as the skipper will be leading the side after a long two year hiatus from international cricket.
West Indies
After the appointment of Courtney Walsh as the head coach of the side, the West Indian has gone through a mixed bag of results, while the side won both home and away series against Pakistan, the side lost 2-1 against South Africa in their most recent appearances and are somewhat lacking when it comes to momentum heading into the World Cup.
Stefanie Taylor has been the superstar for the team and will look to continue her form against South Africa, scoring two consecutive tons on the tour.
India
India is coming off a 4-1 defeat against New Zealand and will look for a fresh start
India is perhaps the dark horse to win the title this time around, while the side lost out to host England in the finals of the 2017 World Cup, the team will look to register their name amongst the winners of the prestigious title.
While the recent results haven’t favored the Blues, the team has the potential and calibre to go against the top sides in the tournament and come out on top. Smriti Mandhana has been great with the bat as of late and the side will hope that the batter can lead them to their maiden title this year.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is making their debut on the biggest stage of them all and will surely be feeling the nerves before the World Cup. While they have been ranked five in the ODI standings, they are still an inexperienced side compared to their opponents and are a dark horse this year.
Nigar Sultana has been a reliable source of runs for the team and is dependable behind the stumps, despite being one of the youngest members of the squad Sultana will hope to lead her outfit to the title in their debut World Cup campaign.