Australia
The Southern Stars have a power packed squad and are expected to go all guns blazing right from start of the tournament. A blend of experience and young legs, the Aussie women automatically qualify as one of the favourites to take the trophy home. While all players in the squad are very much capable of making an impact, Elyse Perry and medium pacer Megan Schutt are the ones to watch out for.
Elyse Perry
No introduction is needed for this prolific all-rounder. Having been around the team for a while, Perry would go to sleep thinking about her reflex stop off her own bowling as she prevented a boundary and won the T20 cup for the Stars in 2010. With good form in the recently concluded bilateral series against Pakistan, she is tipped to be an integral part in the Aussie setup.
Megan Schutt
The wily medium pacer has made her skipper feel relieved from the new ball worries. Schutt chips in with wickets at the most crunch situations and keeps hitting the right areas consistently. Her ability to bowl to her field set has made life difficult for the opponents. Schutt has landed in a purple patch right after the 2017 World Cup. She will be expected to come good at crunch situations.
West Indies
The current T20 champions will be expected to utilise the home conditions to their advantage. The Caribbean unit looks well settled in terms of T20 cricket. Led by one of the stalwarts n the modern game, Stephanie Taylor, the windies will hope to play some good cricket. The squad is nothing short of experience by having players like Deandra Dottin , Anisa Mohammed in the dressing room. The players to watch out for are:
Stephanie Taylor
The skipper has a good amount of match experience under her belt by participating in T20 tournaments such as the WBBL and KIA Super League. Apart from being a top order batter, Taylor bowls off-spin. The Caribbean wickets are a tad slow , hence her bowling abilities will also have to be put to use effectively.
Deandra Dottin
The aggressor, Dottin will have a huge role in this tournament. Known for big hitting abilities, Dottin has shown promise as she anchored the team to a win in one of the unofficial warmup matches. It will be interesting to see if the windies think tank promote Dottin to the opening or number 1 slot.
South Africa
The Proteas women have had their ups and downs since the 2017 World Cup. Although they could not get their act right in the warm ups, they still have a quality side that can cause upsets to their opponents.
Dane van Niekerk
The skipper has gained experience by taking part in a few T20 International leagues. She is a utility all-rounder who can contribute with the bat and ball. Niekerk would love to repeat her figures of 4 wickets for no runs in the against the windies in the WWC 2017.
Chloe Tryon
Tryon’s consistency earned her the vice-captain role. Tryon can up the ante, be it any situation. The power hitter can make most of the short boundaries and add quick runs to the total.
England
The current champions in the longer format of the game have named a comprehensive squad for the WT20 2018. Led by Heather Knight, the English team seems to be a correct blend of young legs as well as players who have already been a part of such global events. England will look up to to :
Heather Knight
The skipper has been in some terrific form, thanks to the WBBL and the KIA Super League. Knight also possesses the invaluable ability to make accurate on field decisions and changes in big games. In the absence of Sarah Taylor, Knight along with Natalie Sciver would hold the key in the English top order.
Jenny Gunn
No Indian fan will forget her contribution with the bat in the final of the ICC WWC 2017. The experienced bowling all-rounder is recognised with her street smart abilities on the field. Gunn has many variations up her sleeve and can make the batters work hard for runs. Since the wickets are also in the slower side in the Carribean, Gunn will be raring to get on to the field and bowl.
New Zealand
The white ferns had earlier named a spin-heavy squad for the multinational event. Tipped to be one of the favourites, the New Zealand women breezed past a struggling Sri Lankan team in their first warm up match at Antigua. The White ferns would rely on
Suzie Bates
Bates has been a pillar of strength for the team for almost a decade. Having some big match temperament to her credit, Bates along with Amy Sattherwaite will be expected to give good starts to the team. She had already got into the groove, as she stroked her way to a 30 ball 34 in their first warm up match.
Amelia Kerr
This teen sensation has raised many eyebrows. Kerr has been impressive with her quirky leg-breaks. With assistance from the wickets, the youngster will enjoy bowling in the Caribbean conditions. Kerr wasted no time as she snapped 4 wickets in her 3 overs in the warmup match against Sri Lanka.
