The ICC T20 World Cup 2023 begins on February 10 with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka in Cape Town.
Teams are making their last-minute preparations ahead of the global event. Defending champions Australia is once again the favourite but there are other strong contenders as well. T20 is a format where any team can beat the other by playing better on the day. A game-changing performance from one individual player can seal the deal for a team.
Let’s have a look at the key players of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023:
Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
The 25-year-old has been in sensational form in the last few matches she has played. In the 5-match T20I series in India, Gardner finished as the highest wicket-taker and also won the Player of the Series award.
South African wickets have aided spin and she could be the game-changer for the defending champions. 2022 was a great year for Gardner with the bat as she scored 216 runs from 7 innings at an exceptional strike rate of 152.11. Her numbers with the ball were also very impressive as she picked up 15 wickets in 16 matches.
Other players to look out for are: Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy
Deepti Sharma (India)
The star all-rounder has won India many matches on her own and more of the same will be expected from her. Deepti stood out in the Tri-series involving West Indies and hosts Australia. She picked up 9 wickets in 5 matches on unexpectedly slow South African pitches and won the Player of the Series award.
In 19 innings in 2022, Deepti scored 37- runs at an average of 37 and a strike rate of 136.02. With the ball in hand, she scalped 29 wickets in 25 matches at an economy rate of just over 6 in T20Is.
Other players to look out for are: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur
Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa)
The 22-year-old proved her worth in the tri-series involving West Indies and India. She picked up 6 wickets in 5 matches with an economy rate of just 3.25, which was the lowest in the competition. Mlaba looked unplayable at times and Sune Luus will look to choke up runs by using her tactfully.
Other players to look out for are: Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus
Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
The captain will have to inspire a team that last won a T20I in September 2022. She was the highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded tri-series in South Africa.
In 4 matches, she scored 125 runs at a strike rate of just over 100. She also picked up a couple of wickets with her handy off-spin bowling. In 2022, she scored 271 runs in 13 innings and picked up 14 wickets.
Other players to look out for are: Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack
Muneeba Ali (Pakistan)
The Karachi-born wicket-keeper batter will be critical for Pakistan as she will have to get the team off to a good start at the top of the order. She is a solid batter and has the ability to drop anchor and play deep into the innings while others can play around her.
Muneeba will be key to Pakistan’s chances and a good knock in the first match against arch-rivals India will do a world of good to her confidence.
Other players to look out for are: Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof
Alice Capsey (England)
The teenage sensation has been a revelation in recent times. Her batting has been as fluent and compact as a veteran. In 10 T20Is, Capsey has piled up 234 runs at an average of 33.4 and an impressive strike rate of 127.9.
She showed glimpses of her talent against South Africa in a warm-up match recently. In just 33 balls, she scored 61 runs with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Capsey has the potential to wreak havoc during the tournament and become a nightmare for opposition bowlers.
Other players to look out for are: Nat Sciver and Sophia Dunkley
Harshita Madavi (Sri Lanka)
The southpaw from Colombo will play a similar role as Muneeba Ali at the top of the order. She would look to play the role of a sheet anchor while the free-flowing skipper Chamari Athapaththu could go after the bowling in the powerplay.
Madavi might just be 24 years old but has the experience of playing over half a decade in international cricket. In the warm-up match against Ireland, she scored a fine 46-ball 56.
Other players to look out for are: Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshi De Silva
Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
The 22-year-old will be leading a team that comprises a lot of senior players. Kerr has been exceptional for the White Ferns, especially in recent years.
In 2022, she scored 327 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.70 and picked up 13 wickets at an average of 22.84. Kerr’s all-round performances will be crucial to New Zealand.
Other players to look out for are: Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine
Gaby Lewis (Ireland)
The 21-year-old made her debut in the Irish national team at the age of just 13. She has done commendable justice to her talent, scoring 1441 runs in 64 T20Is at an average of 26.2 and strike rate of 114.6.
Gaby has the ability to give Ireland quickfire starts in the powerplay. She smashed a 24-ball 38 in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka that was studded with 7 hits to the fence.
Other players to look out for are: Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany
Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh)
The captain will have to lead the team from the front. The 25-year-old has experience playing 69 T20Is and has scored 1226 runs at an average of 24.5.
Sultana will have to inspire a team that has picked four players from the recently-concluded U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Sultana likes to take her time at the crease and that gives an opportunity for the batters around her to express themselves.
Other players to look out for are: Murshida Khatun and Nahida Akter
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