WT20WC 2023: England SWOT analysis
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 begins on February 10, 2023, and will go on till the last week, with the summit clash being scheduled on the 26th. It will be a ten-team tournament. The 10 nations have been divided into two groups of five each and they will be aiming to make their place in the top two, so as to play the semi-finals.
The previous edition of the tournament saw India, Australia, England, and South Africa qualify for the knockouts, but England’s dream of making it to the final was crushed when the weather played spoilsport and washed out their semi-final fixture against India. England were crowned champions of the inaugural T20 World Cup, but are yet to clinch the title since then.
SWOT Analysis of England:
STRENGTH
Ever since failing to finish on the podium in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, the English side has improved immensely in the T20 format. Since losing the bronze medal game to New Zealand at the CWG, England have won seven of the eight T20Is played. They defeated India by 2-1 and recently handed West Indies a 5-0 defeat. The side has been in great form, and the senior players Heather Knight, Nat Sciver, Sarah Glenn, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, and Katherine Brunt among others are the team’s biggest strength.
WEAKNESS
Two of England’s key players – skipper Heather Knight and youngster Alice Capsey – have recently recovered from injuries. While Knight returned to international cricket and resumed her captaincy duties in December 2022, Capsey will be aiming to mark her return at the T20 World Cup. Their form will be a matter of concern for England. While Knight played a 43-run knock against West Indies, 18-year-old Capsey has not played an international game since December 4, 2022.
OPPORTUNITY
There are several new faces in the squad as compared to the team that represented England in the 2020 World Cup. While Tammy Beaumont, Fran Wilson, Anya Shrubsole, and Mady Villiers are among the ones to miss out, young players Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Capsey, Charlie Dean, and Sophia Dunkley will be playing their first-ever T20 World Cup. Having found a spot in the team for the global event, they will be giving their best so as to stay with the team in the long run.
THREAT
The three big teams – Australia, India, and New Zealand will be a threat to England. Though Australia and New Zealand are not a part of their group, India is. England have previously lost a high-pressure game against India during the Commonwealth Games, and the Women in Blue put up a fight during their bilateral series as well. England will face a challenge in the semi-final if Australia and New Zealand qualify from the other group.
England’s Squad: Heather Knight (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.
