March 4 is the date when the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 begins, and a countdown clock in the center of Christchurch is counting down the days before the tournament begins. The final will be staged on April 3 in this city on New Zealand’s South Island’s east coast, but there’ll be 30 matches before that, beginning with the one in Tauranga on Friday – New Zealand’s duel against the West Indies.
With epic showdowns expected between title challengers and a side making its debut, the first four matches of the Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup 2022 might set the bar for the rest of the tournament. New Zealand’s 2022 team has a chance to follow in the footsteps of the legends of the 2000 World Cup when an Emily Drumm-led team upset Australia in a nail-biting final the previous time the tournament was hosted in the country. The ‘White Ferns’ haven’t won a 50-over World Cup since, but a massive win over Australia in their final warm-up game has given them hope.
Australia – The Name of the Favorite No. 1
It was noteworthy because Australia is one of the favorites and has a chance to add to their illustrious record of seven tournament victories, the most recent of which came in 2013. The ‘Southern Stars’ are ranked No. 1 in the ICC Team Rankings and have only lost one One-Day international in their last 30 games, with the loss against New Zealand not being a part of that format. Australia’s first game is on Saturday when they meet holders England in Hamilton in one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches.
As the top four teams in the table progress to the semi-finals, getting off to a solid start in the event in which eight teams play each other once might be vital. England, on the other hand, can rest easy knowing that it lost its first game of the 2017 World Cup and went on to defeat India in the final. Along with Australia and New Zealand, England women are one of three teams who have won the World Cup, and a title this year would be their fifth overall – and the first time they have successfully defended it.
Earthshaker: India vs Pakistan
India is one of just two teams to have reached the final twice, in 2005 and 2017. Mithali Raj, who has been a World Cup regular since 2000 and is back to head the team, played in both matches. Victory would be a validation for Indian Women’s years of progress, as athletes like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma continue to solidify their status as some of the greatest in the world.
India, like England and Australia, begins the tournament with a massive encounter against Pakistan, the competition’s lowest-ranked team. In the four Women’s ODI Cricket World Cups that Pakistan has competed in, it has finished last in all except one, with the 2009 edition being the high point. Pakistan’s team is in transition, but with victories over New Zealand in the warm-up games, it has demonstrated that anything can happen in what could be the most surprising World Cup history.
The West Indies, a team that combines youth and experience, are one rung above them in the standings. Anisa Mohammed will captain the team for the fifth time, while Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin will be back in maroon. ‘The Windies’ will also be able to call on newcomers such as Aaliyah Alleyne and Cherry-Ann Fraser, two of five potential World Cup debutants, as they look to win their first title after falling short in 2013.
Bangladesh Makes Its Debut
South Africa takes on Bangladesh in the inaugural weekend’s first matchup. The latter is taking part in its maiden World Cup. Nigar Sultana Joty will be in charge of her squad into the World Cup for the 15th time, doing so in Dunedin, one of six cities for the competition, with Auckland and Wellington also holding games. Bangladesh isn’t here to make up the numbers; as the world’s No. 6 team, it’ll be looking to make a mark, and they haven’t played Australia, England, or New Zealand in ODIs yet, so they’ll be a surprise.
Bangladesh faces a familiar foe in South Africa, headed by Sune Luus in place of the injured Dane van Niekerk, which will leave a huge gap. South Africa arrives in New Zealand in fine form, having just won a series against the West Indies, and their stars are still tearing up local competitions throughout the world. ‘The Proteas’, who are rated second in the world, meet India in the round-robin stage’s penultimate match, which could determine the semi-final line-up.
As the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 hits New Zealand and the rest of the world by storm, dreams will come true, stars will emerge, and surprises (which you might be pursuing on the sports sections of the world’s best online casinos at TopCasinoExpert.com) will be sprung.
