Preview by Mohammad Anab
New Zealand Women and West Indies Women will begin their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns when they face off at Southampton on Saturday.
Both sides are part of Group B and it won't be easy for any of these teams to qualify for the semi-final as their pool also features the tournament-favourite and hosts, England.
New Zealand arrive at the World Cup as the defending champions after their memorable triumph in the previous edition. The White Ferns have developed into one of the most consistent teams in world cricket, blending experienced campaigners with emerging talent.
Led by all-round superstar Amelia Kerr, New Zealand possess match-winners throughout their lineup. However, this WC will witness three of Kiwi stalwarts, namely Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu, donning the national colours for one final time. After this WC, all three of them will bid adieu to international cricket.
The pair of Bates and Izzy Gaze will open the innings with skipper Kerr coming in at the first drop. Devine, Brooke Halliday and others will then shoulder the middle-order responsibilities. Tahuhu, Izzy Sharp, Bree Illing and Nensi Patel are the main frontline bowlers, along with a bunch of all-rounders.
Ahead of this WC, White Ferns played a three-match away WT20I series against England in which the former lost by 2-1. Later, Kiwis played two warm-up games, namely against Bangladesh and Proteas. Both of those games were won by the Kiwis.
West Indies, meanwhile, will be aiming to recapture the form that made them world champions in 2016. Led by the dynamic Hayley Matthews, the Caribbean side possess an explosive batting lineup capable of changing the course of a match within a few overs. Hayley and Qiana Joseph will open the innings while the veteran Stafanie Taylor will come at number 3. After that, all-rounder Deandra Dottin, Jannillea Glasgow and others will shoulder the middle-order responsibilities. The main frontline bowlers of the side are Shawnisha Hector, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack and Ashmini Munisar.
Last week, West Indies played in the Ireland Tri-Nation Women's T20I Series in which they won by finishing at the top of the points table. Ahead of this WC, West Indies played two warm-up games, namely against India and Australia. Unfortunately for West Indies, they lost both games.
West Indian all-rounder Chinelle Henry got injured during a warm-up game and she is unlikely to take the field on Saturday.
In the previous edition of the Women's T20 WC, White Ferns and West Indies met each other in the semi-final. In that game, West Indies lost the game narrowly while Kiwis went on to lift the title.
One of the key battles could be between Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews, two of the finest all-rounders in women's cricket. Their performances with both bat and ball could have a major influence on the outcome of the contest.
Can West Indies take revenge for their semi-final defeat at the T20 WC 2024? Join us at 10 PM IST (5:30 PM Local Time) on Saturday for the live coverage.