The 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was a memorable tournament for England, as the hosts defeated India in the final at Lord’s to lift the trophy for the fourth time.
England recorded 228/7 from their 50 overs in the final before bowling out India for 219. They will now be bidding to defend that crown in the next edition, which takes place in New Zealand in 2021.
Here is a look at who are the leading contenders to win the World Cup next year in a tournament set to feature eight nations.
Australia
Six-time winners Australia have dominated the Women’s Cricket World Cup since it was inaugurated in 1973. The Aussies have led the way in women’s sports so it would be no surprise if they are a popular bet with Betfair to prevail once again in 2021.
Australia were winners of the Twenty20 World Cup earlier this year in front of their home crowd in Melbourne. They were extremely dominant in the final against India. Beth Mooney produced an innings of 78 not out, while Megan Schutt stared with the ball, taking four wickets for just 18 runs.
Conditions in New Zealand are likely to suit Australia, as they are not dissimilar to the wickets they are used to in their home nation. Their team is also full of players with lots of international experience, so don’t expect them to be fazed by the occasion at the biggest competition in international women’s cricket.
England
Only Australia have been able to defend the Women’s Cricket World Cup, so that is the challenge England will be facing in 2021.
Next year’s tournament will be far tougher than 2017, as they will be away from home and in unfavorable conditions. That said, England remains a very strong side and they must not be underestimated.
England were unlucky to be eliminated from the 2020 Twenty20 World Cup in the semi-finals, as they fell out in the last four without a ball being played. India advanced in the tie as they finished top of Group A
earlier in the competition.
Expect to see England make the semi-finals at the very least next year, where they may be capable of reaching the final for the second straight World Cup.
India
India have arguably been the most consistent nation in women’s one-day cricket over the last four years. They advanced through to the finals of the 2017 World Cup and Twenty20 World Cup this year but were beaten in those matches.
The Women In Blue will be hoping it is third time lucky for them in 2021 as they look to win the 50 overs competition for the first time.
Deepti Sharma is one of the biggest names in women’s cricket and she is evidently capable of producing performances that give her team an excellent chance of success. If Sharma is at her very best in New Zealand, she is likely to take some stopping with bat and ball.
The opening game of the 2021 Women’s Cricket World Cup takes place on the 6th of February, when hosts New Zealand meet one of the qualifiers at Eden Park in Auckland. The tournament will then run through to the final on the 7th March at Hagley Oval, Churchill.
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