The squads have been declared, the preparations have intensified and the countdown has begun. The competition to be crowned as the best in the world in T20 format is going to be fierce. Amidst all this pressure and expectations, there are 19 such players who have been part of this warfare in all the previous ICC World T20 editions. These experienced players will surely add calmness amidst the storm and be a rock solid figure guiding their team to the ultimate triumph.
Let us look at these players who are achieving the feat of being part of all the previous 5 editions of the ICC main event.
1. Ellyse Perry (Aus) – She has made the maximum appearances in the tournament with 26 matches to her name. The number 5 ranked T20 allrounder has scored 225 runs and picked 27 wickets which are most by any bowler in the tournament so far.
2. Jenny Gunn (Eng) – she has been a star on the field with 18 wickets in her 24 outings. She holds the record for most number of catches in the tournament with 16 catches to her name and will love to add a lot more to the kitty.
3. Harmanpreet Kaur (Ind) – The Indian skipper has also been a part of all editions and will love to bring the cup home. Her performances in the recent series have been heartening and so have been in the previous World T20 tournaments where she has scored 245 runs which includes a best of 77 and picked up 11 wickets in 20 matches she has featured in.
4. Mithali Raj (Ind) – the legendary cricketer could very well feature in her last World T20 tournament and would like to end it on a high. In her 21 appearances, she has scored 619 runs at a healthy average of 38.68
5. Suzie Bates (NZ) – the second ranked batsman in ICC Women’s T20Is is currently the highest scorer who will be featuring in the tournament with 720 runs and should surely surpass the English legend Charlotte Edwards (768 runs). She has amassed them at a strike rate of 114 and a best of unbeaten 94.
6. Sophie Devine (NZ) – this Kiwi allrounder surely holds the key for them to be able to progress in the tournament and her recent form will keep the hopes of the fans pretty high. She has scored 428 runs in her 20 outings in the tournament and has also managed to pick up 22 wickets. She was the joint leading wicket taker in the 2016 version and will look to repeat the heroics again this time.
7. Sana Mir (Pak) – the ex-Pakistan skipper will really love to turn the fortunes for her side this time. She hasn’t had much success in the tournament with only 14 wickets and 211 runs to her name. But we all are completely aware of her capabilities and her form will be the key to her side’s success.
8. Javeria Khan (Pak) – just like her colleague, she too hasn’t set the tournament on fire. With a paltry 162 runs in 17 matches at an average of 10.80, the Pakistani captain will love to be amongst runs and win the cup for Pakistan.
9. Dane van Niekerk (SA) – the Proteas skipper has scored 378 runs in the previous editions and picked up 15 wickets. Although, the figures in the tournament are below her standards, we all know her match winning capabilities and her recent experience during the Caribbean tour will be a huge bonus for South Africa.
10. Trisha Chetty (SA) – the keeper batsman will also feature in her 6th World cup and has scored 277 runs and accounted for 7 catches and 10 stumpings.
11. Mignon du Preez (SA) – the middle order batswoman has only scored 273 runs at an average of 18.20 but her experience on the field and her presence in the middle order will be a huge positive for the Proteas in this tournament.
12. Shabnim Ismail (SA) – the 4th most experienced player in the South African line-up and the third highest wicket taker in the tournament with 24 wickets. She has conceded runs at only 6.24 runs per over and will be a useful asset on the slow Caribbean pitches.
13. Eshani Lokusooriya (SL) – with 11 wickets and 237 runs in the previous editions so far, she is a key player on which the Lankan hopes will depend on.
14. Udeshika Prabodhani (SL) – she is the leading wicket taker in the World T20 for Sri Lanka with 14 wickets. Her experience and skills will help in deciding Sri Lanka’s fate in the tournament.
15. Chamari Athapaththu (SL) – one of the talented female cricketers around and her experience in KSL will be a huge plus for her side. She has scored 335 runs at an average of nearly 19 but is very much capable of working wonders and taking her side through in the tournament.
16. Merissa Aguillera (WI) – the Windies keeper hasn’t done much in the previous editions of the tournament but surely is a key member of the side. She has appeared in 21 matches and has scored 102 runs at an average of 11.33
17. Deandra Dottin (WI) – one of the explosive and most feared all-rounders currently, she has the highest strike rate and has most number of sixes (17) in the World T20. She has 517 runs to her name with a highest of 112 and has also picked up 16 wickets in the tournament. She can single-handedly take the game away from the opposition and should be a player to keep our eyes on.
18. Anisa Mohammed (WI) – one of the leading wicket takers in the tournament with 20 wickets, her experience and her knowledge of the home conditions makes her a force to reckon with. She has an excellent economy of only 5.79 which is also amongst the best in the World T20 so far.
19. Stafanie Taylor (WI) – the home conditions, the support, the confidence and the talent this woman possesses will get hopes of all the Windies fans across the globe reach its pinnacle. Adjudged the player of the tournament in 2016 edition, she has so far managed 711 runs which are the third highest in World T20. She has also picked up 20 wickets which also makes her one of the leading wicket takers of the tournament. Stafanie Taylor along with other experienced campaigners and youngsters will surely make Windies the favourites to defend the title at their home turf this time.
With so many legendary players being part of the ICC World T20 this year, the excitement for the cricket fans will be at its peak. We shouldn’t expect anything less than fireworks this time around in the tournament which begins from the 9th of November.
A digital marketing consultant by profession, a student of strategy and business. Food lover, passionate about Cricket and a huge fan of the Windies cricket team.
