Ten rising stars expected to shine at the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka’s skipper, Chamari Athapaththu, is by far the country’s best female cricketer to date and, at 34, she’s showing few signs of slowing down. The powerful left-hander has scored 3,326 T20I runs for her country, more than double the next-highest total for the island country.

She has been on fire with the bat in 2024, scoring two centuries and four fifties at an average of 48.21. In recent times, Sri Lanka have become less reliant on Atha­paththu as the sole run-scorer but the side will still look to their inspirational captain to guide them out of the group stages for the first time.

Amelia Kerr of New Zealand celebrates dismissing Ashleigh Gardner of Australia during game two of the Women’s T20 International Series at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Australia, on 22 September 2024. (Photo: Albert Perez / Getty Images)

Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)

New Zealand’s White Ferns are often more than the sum of their parts, and no one encapsulates that more than all-rounder Amelia Kerr (23). She contributes extensively and wholeheartedly to every facet of the game.

Her leg breaks often don’t turn sharply, but they are consistent and threatening, doing enough to upset batters.

Despite her tender age, Kerr ranks in the top five of her country’s all-time run-scorers and wicket-takers, showing her importance to the White Ferns outfit.

Though more of an accumulator than a basher, Kerr’s composure with the willow is often the glue that holds the New Zealand middle order together.

Smriti Mandhana of India during their One Day International against Australia at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 January 2024. (Photo: Pankaj Nangia / Getty Images)

Smriti Mandhana (India)

India will be relying heavily on the elegant Smriti Mandhana to get her side off to fast starts in the powerplay. The 28-year-old has been doing it for more than a decade for her country but is yet to hit the team to international silverware.

The surfaces in the United Arab Emirates will aid the opening batter’s comfort out in the middle, given the similar conditions to India.

Mandhana is already India’s highest run-scorer to date in the format.

Kathryn Bryce of The Blaze wins player of the match after the Charlotte Edwards Cup final against the South East Stars in Derby, England, on 22 June 2024. (Photo: Nathan Stirk / Getty Images)

Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)

Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce has been in phenomenal form with bat and ball this year. She strode to the crease five times in 2024 and was only dismissed twice, striking two half-centuries in the process.

Bryce also took nine wickets in those five matches with her dangerous, looping inswingers.

Along with her sister Sarah, the bulk of Scotland’s runs at the T20 World Cup are expected to come off the Bryce sisters’ bats.

Hayley Matthews of the Welsh Fire leaves the field after losing her wicket during The Hundred match against the Southern Brave Women at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, on 5 August 2024. (Photo: Dan Istitene / Getty Images)

Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Hayley Matthews has a legitimate claim to being the best all-rounder in the world, and the official International Cricket Council ratings support that claim. She’s destructive up top with the willow and more than handy with her off-spin.

West Indies lost one of their main power hitters in Deandra Dottin when the all-rounder announced her retirement in 2022, but Matthews has seamlessly stepped into her shoes, bringing with her consistency in her demolition.

At only 26, Matthews is already her country’s third-highest run-scorer and needs just one wicket to become the second West Indian to take 100 T20I wickets.

England’s Lauren Bell celebrates the wicket of Izzy Gaze of New Zealand at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol on 3 July 2024. (Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)

Lauren Bell (England)

The lanky opening bowler has quickly risen up the ranks to become England’s most lethal new-ball option with her booming inswingers.

The pitches in the United Arab Emirates are likely to favour spin bowling but the extra bounce and natural movement Bell generates will trouble batters on any surface.

Bell has only been playing international cricket for two years, having taken over the new-ball duties from England legend Katherine Sciver-Brunt. She has outstanding numbers, with an average of just over 17 and an economy rate below seven.

Laura Wolvaardt celebrates her 100 runs against Sri Lanka at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on 27 March 2024. (Photo: Sydney Seshibedi. /Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

At only 25, South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt has already established herself as one of the greatest to wield the willow for the country.

Not only is her record impressive, she also has the knack of showing up when it really matters. After a slow start to the 2023 T20 World Cup at home, Wolvaardt finished as the highest run-getter with 230 in five innings, including slamming a half-century in each of the Proteas’ last three fixtures.

Read more: Laura Wolvaardt to captain Proteas Women at T20 World Cup

South Africa’s hopes of a successful tournament don’t rest solely on her reliable shoulders, but she will make progression a whole lot easier.

Nida Dar of Pakistan during an ODI against England at The Cloud County Ground in Chelmsford on 29 May 2024. (Photo: Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)

Nida Dar (Pakistan)

Pakistan’s jill of all trades Nida Dar still has a lot of cricket in her, despite the 37-year-old having played international cricket for more than 14 years.

The former skipper has notched up more than 2,000 runs in the format as well as taking 143 wickets with her off-spin – more wickets than anyone else in the format.

Dar made her international debut at the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2010 and has played in every edition of the tournament since. She’ll be looking to take her side beyond the first round of the tournament for the first time.

Ashleigh Gardner of Australia warms up before game two of the Women’s T20 International Series between against New Zealand in Mackay, Australia, on 22 September 2024. (Photo: Albert Perez / Getty Images)

Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)

Ashleigh Gardner is one of several world-class all-rounders in the ranks of Australia, the defending champions. With her big-hitting ability with the bat and a happy knack of partnership-breaking deliveries with the ball, she could be the most valuable.

Gardner was recognised as player of the tournament at the last T20 World Cup after picking up the second-most wickets with her off-breaks, as well as playing quickfire vital knocks down the order.

Gardner’s ability to turn Australia’s good scores into great scores after facing only a few deliveries makes her a threat to any bowler at the death.

Rabeya Khan of Bangladesh reacts after a misfield against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 4 April 2024. (Photo: Abhishek Chinnappa / Getty Images)

Rabeya Khan (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh have failed to win a match at a T20 World Cup in the past four editions. Their last victory was in 2014 when they defeated Ireland.

If their fortunes in the tournament are going to change, 19-year-old leg-spinner Rabeya Khan will probably play a big role. She was only 14 when she made her debut for her country in the format, taking four wickets against Nepal.

Bangladesh have a number of brilliant spinners, including the more experienced Nahida Akter. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.