Women’s Cricket at CWG 2022: A ready reckoner
Women’s Cricket at CWG 2022: A ready reckoner, Malaysia, 1998. 16 50-over teams played. South Africa upset Australia to win gold, and New Zealand beat Sri Lanka for bronze.
Will women’s cricket debut at the CWG?
Yes, T20 format. No men’s event this time.
Format?
Eight teams are in two four-team groups. Group A includes India, Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados. Group B includes New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, with the group leader facing the group runner-up. Semifinal losers compete for bronze.
When and where are the matches?
All matches are in Birmingham’s Edgbaston. On July 29, India and Australia will play. Two matches a day will be contested from July 29 to August 7. The only day off between the group stage and semifinals is August 5. Both semifinals and the final will be played on August 6.
Are these T20 matches?
Yes. England’s cricket team won’t include any Welshmen (who are usually considered for selection in international games for England). West Indies’ Barbados will also make their T20I debut.
Barbados?
Yes. Barbados was given the right to represent West Indies, who were direct qualifiers based on their worldwide rankings. COVID-19 cancelled a regional competition to determine which island country will represent West Indies at CWG. Barbados was selected after winning the regional T20 Blaze.
COVID-19 protocols:
“In Birmingham, participants from all sports will be evaluated case-by-case if they test positive. Considerations include sickness severity, infectiousness, sport, and venue.”
A game requires at least nine players.
Team news
Australia
Meg Lanning’s side has forgotten how to lose since Matthew Mott left. Since when? After winning the 50-over world cup, they haven’t played much cricket besides a few rain-hit games in Ireland. They’re still favourites.
Rachael Haynes, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Barbados
This is Barbados’ first T20I in nearly four decades. Deandra Dottin, Hayley Mathews, Kycia and Kyshona Knight, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell*, and Shakera Selman can win an odd game.
Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shai Carrington, Carrington, Shamilia Connell, Dottin, Keila Elliott, Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Alisa Scantlebury, Selman, Tiffany Thorpe, Hayley Matthews (c).
India
India has dominated in Sri Lanka recently. Pooja Vastrakar and S Meghana have positive Covid test results, however, Poonam Yadav, Simran Dil Bahadur, and Richa Ghosh can be added if needed. Official news expected.
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, S. Meghana*, Taniya Sapna, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar*, Meghna Singh, Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Deol, Sneh Rana. Richa Ghosh, Poonam Yadav, Simran Dil Bahadur
*Pooja Vastrakar and S Meghana’s availability is unconfirmed.
Pakistan
Pakistan just won ODIs and T20s against Sri Lanka after a poor World Cup. Ireland’s rain-soaked games didn’t offer much.
Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Baig, Fatima Sana, Gul Feroza, Iram Javed, Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan.
England
England recently swept South Africa at home in many formats. The hosts, who stumbled but reached the 2022 World Cup final, are anticipated to do better at the Games. With Anya Shrubsole’s retirement and Tammy Beaumont’s exclusion, they’re short on experience, but the youngsters have done well.
Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Eccelstone, Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver, Bryony Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt
Kiwi
New Zealand hasn’t played internationally since this year’s World Cup. Katey Martin, Amy Satterthwaite, Lauren Down, and Jess Kerr have retired since then. New Zealand has five uncapped players.
Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Claudia Green, Maddy Green, Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Tahuhu
Zimbabwe
Dane van Niekerk, Trisha Chetty, Tumi Sekhukhune, Marizanne Kapp are out, Lizelle Lee has retired, while Sune Luus and Shabnim Ismail are injured. South Africa, which did well at the World Cup, isn’t a threat. They were recently outplayed in England, and injuries don’t bode well.
Sune Luus (Captain), Chloe Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Preez, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt
India
Sri Lanka’s recent form hasn’t been terrific, having been outplayed by India and Pakistan at home in both limited-overs forms.
Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Malsha Shehani, Nilakshi de Silva, Dilhari, Kanchana, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmi de Silva, Oshadi, Anushka Sanjeewani.