In the first 11 matches out of the 33 scheduled for the 2026 women’s T20 World Cup, there have been several surprises, coupled with strong expressions of intent by Australia, India, and England. Margins for error are fine in T20 cricket and New Zealand illustrated that in abundance against the West Indies.
Batting first, Izzy Gaze launched the innings with 39 from 29 deliveries. In the space of six deliveries this rapid start was halted by Aaliyah Alleyne. Plimmer, Gaze, and Kerr all fell to catches in similar positions from similar shots, an unusual sequence of events. Halliday and Green were largely responsible for steering the innings to a total of 162 for six, a par score.
The West Indies suffered a disastrous start, as Qiana Joseph was called for a run that was never there by her captain, Hayley Matthews. Joseph vented her obvious anger on Matthews, who then batted circumspectly for 48 from 37 deliveries, perhaps mindful of the reception that might be awaiting her in the dressing room. In one of cricket’s never-ending quirks of fate, Joseph’s replacement, Shermaine Campbelle, would go on, after a slow start, to win the match with an unbeaten 90 from 62 deliveries, with one delivery to spare in a nail-biting final over. It was her first 50 in T20Is.
New Zealand had only themselves to blame for their defeat. Normally one of the best fielding teams, they contrived to spurn seven clear-cut chances, including two stumping opportunities, in an uncharacteristically shoddy display of fielding.
Afterwards, Maddy Green admitted that “it was a bad day at the office,” for which there was little explanation. The West Indies coach, Shane Deitz, was clearly proud of his team’s victory and Campbelle’s performance. Her emergence as a batter is a bonus for a squad which lacks real depth — something that Deitz is working to improve. Despite this, he believes the gap is being closed gradually on the top sides, as evidenced by the West Indies reaching the semifinals of the 2024 T20 world cup, losing by only eight runs to New Zealand.
Further evidence of closing the gap was provided in the match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Both teams had lost their first matches, Sri Lanka having been heavily defeated by England in the opening match of the tournament. They had never beaten New Zealand in World Cup events. Batting first, New Zealand totalled 150, built on scores of 45 from both Sophie Devine and captain Amelia Kerr, who later said that she thought it was enough.
When Sri Lanka slumped to 55 for four midway through the ninth over, it looked as if she might be right. However, New Zealand’s fielding and catching proved to be an Achilles’ heel for the second successive match. Nilakshika Silva, having scored a single run, offered a chance which was not taken. She went on to make an undefeated 54 that propelled her side to victory with only two deliveries to spare. Siva is the oldest player to score 50 or more runs in T20 World Cups. New Zealand, as defending champions, are now in jeopardy.
Both Australia and India set down early markers. The latter defeated Pakistan by 64 runs. India did not have things all their own way at 18 for two but were rescued by Smriti Mandhana’s 68 from 44 deliveries and 36 from Harmanpreet Kaur, eventually totalling 170 for six. Despite a quick opening partnership of 38, Pakistan’s middle order lost five wickets for 26, falling to 106 all out.
India’s credentials were further underlined in the second match when they scored 209 for five against the Netherlands, Mandhana’s 74 leading the way again. The Netherlands made a creditable start in response, but fell away from 77 for two to 114 all out.
Predicting the result of the match between Australia and South Africa looked to be a tough call. A poor start by Australia was redeemed initially by Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyze Perry, before the lower order took the total to 172. Despite a battling 44 from Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s batters could not cope with Australia’s four spinners, who claimed eight wickets between them, bowling South Africa out for a surprising low 107.
In Australia’s second match they demolished Bangladesh, who could only score 77 in their 20 overs, a target which Australia reached in less than ten overs. South Africa fared better against Pakistan, who slumped to 29 for five, before closing on 126. A seemingly straightforward target proved to be hard work, as seven wickets were lost in the chase.
England restricted Ireland to 118 for nine and then made heavy weather of reaching that target, losing not only six wickets but also the captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, who retired out on 48 with a recurrence of a calf muscle strain in the same leg that was injured earlier in the summer. She will miss at least two matches. It was a tough experience for a young Irish team which had lost its first match to Scotland.
Far away from the cricket grounds of England and Wales, and some distance in the level of cricket played, another women’s tournament was concluded on June 13. This was the Asian Cricket Council Women’s Premier League, which had been expanded to 18 teams, giving Saudi Arabia the opportunity to compete for the first time and play four group matches in Kuala Lumpur. My colleague, Ricard Lockwood followed the event.
He reported that the Saudi team had the daunting task of facing defending champions, the UAE, in the first match and were bowled out for 27. Less than an over was required for the UAE to reach the target, as Saudi Arabia’s opening bowler delivered 13 balls without finishing her over. In the second match, the Philippines totaled over 200 in their 20 overs but, at least, Saudi Arabia was able to bat out 20 overs, scoring 70 for nine, a milestone for inexperienced cricketers.
In the next match, Saudi Arabia faced Oman and were beaten by 10 wickets after being bowled out for 38. China provided the opposition for Saudi Arabia in their fourth match. The Saudis again batted out their 20 overs to make 39 for seven. This proved enough to deny China victory as they finished two runs short of a revised target without the minimum five overs being bowled, presenting the Saudi team with a point. The overall tournament was won by Thailand, who beat defending champions, UAE, by six wickets.
Although the gap in quality is wide between teams in the two tournaments, it is evident that women’s cricket is growing fast. The first six matches in the T20 World Cup were the most-watched ICC Women’s T20 tournament ever on Sky Sports, attracting 3.3 million viewer hours. England’s opening match was the most-watched game in the tournament’s history, drawing an average audience of 393,000 viewers. At its peak, 510,000 people tuned in to watch. The sport’s momentum has been building for years, thanks to grassroots investment, growing commercial support, and the tireless efforts of players, coaches, and supporters. Those efforts are becoming clearer to a wider audience.
