I've been awful at keeping up with women's cricket recently, but with the world cup coming up, I was wondering what your thoughts were about the teams, and who's got the best chance.
THANK YOU SO MUCH I LIVE FOR ASKS ON WOMEN’S CRICKET <3
So I think the favourites just have to be Australia, they have been the best team by far in recent years and have the Undisputed Queens™ of the game in Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry as well as the further batting strength of players like Villani, Healy, etc. Basically, their batting is hella stacked. In the fast bowling though they’re not looking quite as strong and so there’s room for teams to take advantage there. They’re the favourites for a reason, but I think they can be beaten.
As second favourites I would put England and New Zealand. England have been in transition and like any England team, are prone to collapses with the bat. But players like Beaumont and Winfield have grown hugely in confidence in the past year, and with Brunt and Shrubsole they have probably the best opening pair of fast bowlers in the game. Keeping those two fit could be the key. If there is a god, please let those two stay fit. NZ have to be in with a shout as well, particularly with batsmen like Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite, Leigh Kasperek one to watch with the ball. Quite a few of them have played in county/club cricket over here too so they’ll know the conditions. I’m not an expert on them by any means though, if our Kiwi fam want to add anything? ( @maythefoursbewithyou etc.?)
Then I would put the India and the West Indies. The West Indies are a team I love, the World T20 champs and the runners up last time out. Stafanie Taylor is capable of anything. Dottin is as well. They definitely have a chance and though they’re not as strong over the 50 overs as the 20, I wouldn’t write them off. India had a relatively quiet time in the Championship and of course conspired to miss automatic qualification by refusing to play Pakistan, but dominated the qualifier. They are improving and have a strong and settled core of players, but have also changed their coach on the eve of the tournament, so who knows. It will be the last world cup for Raj and Goswami, and they will want a big send off.
South Africa are a fast developing women’s team with so many hugely exciting players who also have the potential to spring surprises, and though it would be a huge step I think they could do well. Suné Luus particularly is a player to watch out for, not least for the most dazzling smile in world cricket.
Pakistan and particularly Sri Lanka are the two teams I know the least about and are by far the underdogs. I don’t see either of them having a realistic chance of winning (I’m sorry!) but there’s no reason why they can’t spring the odd upset and it would be lovey to see more of them.
I’m sorry about the great big essay, I got a bit too excited! Just under a week to go now and I can’t wait :D
