There may be a sparkly new kid on the block in the shape of the Women’s Premier League, but for the next four weeks at least international women’s cricket is the focus. Beginning on Friday, at three venues in South Africa – Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha – 10 teams will be fighting it out in a 20-over World Cup. Nine of them will be desperately, but probably futilely, hoping to steal the title Australia have held since 2018.
England find themselves in Group B, alongside India, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland. Progression to the semi-finals will be the minimum expectation, while topping their group will be key if they are to avoid the bear-trap of Australia before the final, scheduled for 26 February in Cape Town.
