After being delayed by a year, the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 gets underway in around a month in New Zealand. Eight teams will compete across an action packed month beginning on March 4 (local time), with the final on April 3 (local time).
The eight teams competing are New Zealand, Australia, India, England, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The teams all will play each other once in a round robin format, with the top four qualifying for the semifinals.
📸: The match schedule for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
While New Zealand’s Covid-19 restrictions will limit the number of fans at games, the tournament is going ahead as planned. A number of warm-up series are underway or upcoming, with some of the top teams testing themselves against each other as the World Cup approaches. After a wonderful advertisement for why we need more women’s test matches, Australia and England will play three ODIs in the Women’s Ashes. South Africa and West Indies are in the midst of a four match series. West Indies’ Deandra Dottin is in great form after scoring 150 not out in the first match before it was abandoned. Finally, India have just arrived in Aotearoa for five ODIs and one T20I beginning on February 9.
Matches to watch out for
The opening match between New Zealand and West Indies at 2pm Friday 4 March (local time) promises to be entertaining. New Zealand will be looking to get off to a good start in front of their home fans, but West Indies sit just behind them in the world rankings. This match could be crucial for both teams’ hopes of qualifying for the final four.
Two of the tournament favourites, Australia and England face-off in a mouth-watering clash on the second day of the tournament – 2pm Saturday 5 March (local time). Whoever wins this match will be well poised to top the round robin table and earn themselves the ‘easier’ semi-final.
In a replay of the 2017 final, England and India play against each other on Wednesday 16 March at 2pm (local time). India will be looking for revenge after narrowly losing that final five years ago.
Finally, India play South Africa in the final match of the round robin on Sunday 27 March at 2pm (local time), in what could be a must-win game for both teams. India will hope to have their semi-final berth secured by this point, but if they don’t this match could prove tricky. South Africa currently sit second in the world rankings, and beat India 4-1 in an ODI series played in India last year.
This tournament will carry forward the legacy of the game and play an important role in the growth of women’s cricket. Past tournament witnessed some historic moments on and off the field and the women are again set to fight hard for the country, making the ground their own yard.
The biggest highlight of this tournament is the increase in the prize money of the winning team. The winning team of Women’s World Cup 2022 will be awarded with the prize money of $NZ 5.5 million dollars. The increased investment and positive outlook for the future of women’s cricket comes from the fact that there is a high level of interest in the game, from young girls who are inspired by their heroes to fans of cricket who appreciate the skills that today’s players display. As the first of three Women’s World Cups being held in New Zealand in the next two years, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 kicks off a truly exciting time for women’s sport.
Written by Damon Lillis
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