The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off on Thursday, October 3rd and there have been many talking points midway through the group stage of the ICC Event. Taking place in the United Arab Emirates, the WT20 WC is in full flow with a few surprising favourites rising up to the challenge amongst the usual suspects.
So let’s take a look at the Top Teams in contention of lifting the coveted WT20 World Cup trophy as well as the Key Players who will be the ones to watch out for, based on the first half of the T20 World Cup Group Stages.
Top Three Teams At The 2024 WT20 WC
1. Australia
The 6-time winners of the WT20 WC, Australia, are once again emerging as the outright favourites in the 2024 edition. With 2 wins under their belt already, Austalia have started off their campaign in dominant fashion, demolishing Sri Lanka and New Zealand with ease. Next up they take on Pakistan, before clashing with the Indians in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. Sitting pretty on top of Group A with 4 points, a win tomorrow against Pakistan will guarantee Australia a ticket into the Semis.
2. England
The inaugural winners of the ICC WT20 WC in 2009, England are looking in fine form in UAE. They currently sit 2nd with 4 points from 2 games but with one less game played than South Africa, a team they beat with ease during the Warm-up games and also in their 2nd Group Stage match on Monday. In their opening game, England beat Bangladesh comfortably and with their next game against the worst team in the tournament, Scotland, looks like a route to the Semi Finals is very likely for the Lionesses.
3. South Africa
Many would expect India to be on this spot, but the South African team have managed to keep a much better NRR than India thanks to the thrashing they gave to West Indies in their first game, and to Scotland in their most recent fixture. India on the other hand lost against New Zealand in Group A. South Africa currently sit first in Group B with their only loss coming against a close encounter with England.
Key Players To Watch Out For At The 2024 WT20 WC
1. Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
The South African opener is having the time of her life in the UAE. Laura Wolvaardt, along with her opening partner, Tazmin Brits are the biggest reason why South Africa have been able to dominate their opponents from the first ball of their innings. The Right-Handed batter has racked up 141 runs in South Africa’s opening 3 fixtures at an average of 70.5 and has been dismissed only twice. The Proteas captain also has the current highest score of the tournament to her name, 57* that she made against West Indies in the opening game of the tournament.
2. Megan Schutt (Australia)
They say Batters win you matches, and Bowlers win you Tournaments. If Australia go on to win their 7th ICC WT20 WC title, which they probably will, Megan Schutt will be the orchestrator of their whole campaign. Her spell against New Zealand the other day is testimony to her greatness. In that game alone, Megan Schutt had figures of 3/3 in 3.2 overs at an economy of 0.90. That’s just absurd. In the tournament after 2 games, Magic Megan has an bowling average of 2.50, and has picked up 6 wickets and could very well end the tournament as it’s top wicket taker.
3. Harmanpreet Kaur (India)
The Indian skipper scored her fastest T20 half century against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, October 9. She currently has 96 runs in the first three matches of the WT20 WC, and has only been sent back to the pavillion once. It was really a toss up between Harmanpreet Kaur and Beth Mooney for this spot. But Harmanpreet Kaur makes this list solely because as a Captain of a nation with a population of 1.4 Billion people, and with no prior International Silverware, she’s hungrier than her Australian counterpart.
Conclusion
With the WT20 WC in full swing, the coming days will be exciting to watch. Who will take the Trophy home and who will end up as the Player of The Series? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
