Now just hours away before the first ball, we take a look at the form of the 10 teams competing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

Australia 

Even after a warm-up slip-up to Ireland, Australia’s away bilateral series win in India and a strong home stand against Pakistan mean this year’s tournament remains the defending champions’ to lose.

Promoting Shelley Nitschke to the top job on a permanent basis after securing Commonwealth Games gold, the side have filled the batting void left by the retiring Rachael Haynes, who bowed out after the Birmingham campaign.

If anything, the runs could come even quicker. Ellyse Perry has shaken off the back injury that curtailed her Commonwealth Games campaign, and Grace Harris’ late batting blitzes in India prove there will be little respite, even if the likes of Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner fall cheaply.

And that’s not even mentioning skipper Meg Lanning, who will no doubt step up in the tournament proper.

It’s a case of picking your poison on the bowling side as well, with Lanning possibly having eight bowling options should she need them. Darcie Brown has made a strong start in warm-up action, and could reap the benefits of fast South African pitches should they be put up.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 1st
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): N/R, W, W, W, W, W, L (Super Over), W, W, W
Warm-up Results: India (won), Ireland (lost)
Opponents: New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Winner

Bangladesh

Recent form and a warm-up defeat to Pakistan suggest Nigar Sultana Joty’s side have their work cut out for them in South Africa.

Losing 3-0 in a recent T20I series in New Zealand, the side were also not at their best at the Women’s Asia Cup, nor their warm-up outing against Pakistan.

Though not all is doom and gloom for the Tigresses. U19 T20 World Cup star Marufa Akter claimed three wickets across the two warm-up fixtures, and is one of three players brought in from their head-turning U19 campaign in South Africa.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 9th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): L, L, L, NR, L, L, W, L, W, W
Warm-up Results: Pakistan (lost), India (lost)
Opponents: Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Group Stage

England

When looking at recent results and two solid warm-up hit-outs, England look best-placed to knock Australia off their perch.

Launching an astronomical total against South Africa in Stellenbosch and comfortably handling New Zealand even with a rotated team, Heather Knight’s team are buoyed both by belief and a strong recent run.

The side were untroubled by the West Indies in the Caribbean, winning their December series 5-0, also beating India 2-1 in cold home conditions.

Sophia Dunkley’s aggression at the top with Alice Capsey and Knight means England boast a reliable top three to rival the Australians, and the spin pairing of Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn have primed well in warm-up games. Quick Kate Cross was in good form in the second warm-up match against New Zealand.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 2nd
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): W, W, W, W, W, W, L, W, L, L
Warm-up Results: South Africa (won), New Zealand (won)
Opponents: West Indies, Ireland, India, Pakistan
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Semi-Finalists 

India

A below-par batting performance in the warm-up match against Australia may scare their fans, though they are the last team to beat the defending champions, even if they needed a Super Over to do it.

Harmanpreet Kaur has sat out of warm-up action, and the side have struggled at the start of the innings as a result. In saying that, strong performances from Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues should give the team a lift.

The bowling group has hit the ground running in South Africa, with Shikha Pandey’s strong return another boost to their chances.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 4th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): L, W, NR, W, W, L, L, L, W, L
Warm-up Results: Australia (lost), Bangladesh (won)
Opponents: Pakistan, West Indies, England, Ireland
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Finalists

Ireland

There is an air of confidence around what looks to be an energetic playing group for Ireland, and recent results suggest Laura Delany’s side will be more than just a tricky prospect.

An away T20I series win in Pakistan will be in the minds of both when they meet on February 15 at Newlands, and their next game two days later at the same ground against the West Indies should be another one to earmark.

Of course beating Australia even in a warm-up is enough to grab anyone’s attention, though their performances in competitive action, like the high-pressure Qualifier last year, prove the team can do it when push comes to shove.

Unlike other lower-ranked challengers, Ireland’s batting has depth, as shown by Arlene Kelly’s late blitzes during warm-up action down the order.

Orla Prendergast is tipped to enjoy a breakout tournament, and Ireland should back themselves to pick up multiple wins in their group.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 10th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): L, W, L, L, L, N/R, W, L, W, W
Warm-up Results: Sri Lanka (lost), Australia (won)
Opponents: England, Pakistan, West Indies, India
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: DNQ

New Zealand

New Zealand have enjoyed a relatively successful period in T20I cricket, and Sophie Devine’s return from injury is a much-needed boost for a team that should carry plenty of confidence.

Too strong for the West Indies in their first warm-up, New Zealand did fall to England two days later, but gained plenty from the meeting against a side tipped to give the competition a shake.

Hayley Jensen enjoyed two decent spells with the ball across the two games, while the early signs point to success with spin from a range of players, most notably the work of Amelia Kerr.

Kerr will no doubt also feature prominently with the bat, though Maddy Green’s 47* from 37 balls against the West Indies on a sluggish WPCC surface shows the 30-year-old is ready to lift another level.

They’ll need to be on the mark from the first ball given their first-up meeting with the Aussies, but that tough test may just prime them for the rest of their run.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 3rd
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): W, W, W, W, W, W, W, L, W, L
Warm-up Results: West Indies (won), England (lost)
Opponents: Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Group Stage

Pakistan

A 1-1 record in the warm-ups may not tell a story on its own, though Pakistan learned numerous lessons from the two matches, particularly with the bat.

The work of Aliya Riaz and Ayesha Naseem in the middle overs should give Bismah Maroof more confidence to attack at the top, with the pair showing they can push through the gears even with the field out.

Aliya’s work with the ball also backs a set bowling line-up, though the matches show that the loss of Diana Baig to injury depletes their fast bowling stocks.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 7th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): NR, L, L, L, W, L, L, W, W, W
Warm-up Results: Bangladesh (won), South Africa (lost)
Opponents: India, Ireland, West Indies, England
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Group Stage

South Africa

While ambushed by an English batting blitz at Stellenbosch, and in spite of the outside noise, recent results and the return of Marizanne Kapp point towards a successful campaign.

The side gave a strong account of themselves in their Paarl warm-up, and the firing opening pair of Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt means the team should put pressure back on their opponents in Powerplay overs.

Luus has a range of bowling options including herself, with the left-arm orthodox of Nonkululeko Mlaba seemingly the trump card in all phases.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 5th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): W, N/R, W, W, L, W, L, L, L, L
Warm-up Results: England (lost), Pakistan (won)
Opponents: Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Semi-Finalists

Sri Lanka

Batting help has come for Chamari Athapaththu, who should have less responsibility square on her shoulders come the tournament opener against South Africa on February 10. 

Harshitha Samarawickrama’s half-century against Ireland puts her in good stead for the tournament proper, while U19 T20 World Cup starlet Vishmi Gunaratne, capped nine times at full T20I level, is also in the runs.

With the ball, the damage has been done by Oshadi Ranasingheand Inoka Ranaweera, with the latter rewarded for her hard work in 2022 by being named in the ICC T20I Team of the Year.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 8th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): L, W, L, W, W, W, W, L, L, L
Warm-up Results: Ireland (won), West Indies (lost)
Opponents: South Africa, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Group Stage

West Indies

Runs have been hard to come by for the West Indies in recent series and official warm-ups, and the trend may well lead to a rethink from Hayley Matthews and coach Courtney Walsh.

Though not all is doom and gloom, with their U19 T20 World Cup graduates stepping up with aplomb, most notably Zaida James, whose left-arm orthodox bring something new to the team.

At this point, Matthews will need a Player of the Tournament effort if the team are to make a deep run.

ICC Ranking as of February 8: 6th
Last 10 T20Is (most recent first): L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L
Warm-up Results: New Zealand (won), Sri Lanka (won)
Opponents: England, India, Ireland, Pakistan
T20 World Cup 2020 Finish: Group Stage

-T20 World Cup