It has been an Australian domination for the past eight editions, and the defending champions have won the title six times. For many bettors, the tournament has always been about wagering on the second-best team! However, this format can throw its surprises, as we have seen in the past. While the Aussies will start favorites to defend their title, other teams can give them a run for their money. Let's look at the prospects of the different teams for this edition.
# Australia Women
The defending champions, Australia Women, have dominated this tournament as much as a side can do. They are the defending champions and have won the title six times in their eight appearances. Alyssa Healy is leading the strongest team in the tournament, and she would like to see the players make the most out of their reputation on cricket betting sites. The team has several match-winners, including Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, and Beth Mooney. Healy and her girls will count its chances for their seventh title.
Squad – Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck
# India Women
They will start as the second-strongest team in the tournament, playing in conditions that suit their style. The title has eluded them, and they came close to winning one in 2020 where they lost against Australia in the final. The team is strong in its batting, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Shafali Verma will be the players to watch out for. They will also expect a good show from Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh Thakur.
Squad – Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
# England Women
The 2009 champions would like to end their wait for the second title. They made it to the Top 4 in the last six editions but have failed in crunch games. Heather Knight likes leading from the front and wants to get the best out of her players. They are one of the favorites in the tournament and shall expect good performances from players like Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Maia Bouchier, and Sophie Ecclestone.
Squad - Heather Knight (c), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Bess Heath
# South Africa Women
South Africa Women came close to winning the title last year, only to be denied it by the Australians in the final. Laura Wolvaardt's team has been one of the most consistent sides in the tournament, but the title has eluded them. They have big names in the squad and shall look to break the jinx. The side will expect good performances from Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Sune Luus, and Tazmin Brits. The team has the firepower to go the distance in the tournament, and it will be interesting to see how they perform.
Squad - Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon
# West Indies Women
Barring the last two editions, West Indies Women have been a force to reckon with in this tournament. They won the title in 2016 and have been among the Top 4 in four other editions. In the last two tournaments, the side exited after the first round. Hayley Matthews would look to get over those upsets and expect a strong show from her players. There are big names on the team, and we expect good performances from Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Chedean Nation, and Stafanie Taylor.
Squad - Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton
# New Zealand Women
From the highs of being the final in the first two editions to first-round events in the last three editions, Kiwi girls have been going through a downward slide. The team will look to make a statement this year. While their performances in the last 12 months don't inspire confidence, they have good players who can perform against the best teams. Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, and Amelia Kerr have done well in T20 cricket and their talent makes the team one of the dark horses.
Squad - Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
# Sri Lanka Women
The Sri Lankan Women have never gone beyond the first round. The team will look to script a different story this year. Chamari Athapaththu, the skipper, is one of the best players in modern cricket, and she inspires her players. Harshitha Madhavi, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hasini Perera, and Kavisha Dilhari have grown in stature in the last few years, and these players will look to put up a strong fight this year.
Squad - Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi Samarawickrama, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana
# Pakistan Women
Pakistan Women cricketers are still establishing themselves on the big stage. The team has played in all the editions, but they have struggled to win games, with first-round exit being the norm for them. Fatima Sana would like her side to deliver better performances this year as the conditions will suit them. Diana Baig, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, and Nida Dar are experienced players who must do well to turn the team's fortunes.
Squad - Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
# Scotland Women
Scotland Women will debut this year, which is a big moment for women's cricket in Scotland. Kathryn Bryce has led the team well, and they have played good cricket, challenging some of the strongest teams in the last 12 months. Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Sarah Bryce, and Lorna Jack-Brown have had good exposure and grown in confidence. It will be interesting to see how far they can go in the tournament.
Squad - Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce, Lorna Jack-Brown, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Abtaha Maqsood, Saskia Horley, Chloe Abel, Priyanaz Chatterji, Megan McColl, Darcey Carter, Ailsa Lister, Hannah Rainey, Rachel Slater, Katherine Fraser, Olivia Bell.
# Bangladesh Women
Bangladesh has played the tournament for the last five editions, but there hasn't been much for the team to write about. They have one of the poorest records among all the teams and have mostly been bottom hunters in the points table. Nigar Sultana would like her team to play positively, and the performances of players like Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Ritu Moni, and Disha Biswas will be key to the side’s success.
Squad - Nigar Sultana (c), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Dilara Akter, Sultana Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Fahima Khatun, Taj Nehar, Disha Biswas, Shathi Rani
)
