England, the inaugural champions of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, shows signs of promising and robust performance in the upcoming 2024 edition happening in UAE. After their triumphant first tournament season, the English side reached the final three times but couldn't convert it into a trophy win.

As it implies, the team has been one of the strongest sides in the Women's Cricket domain; the side can be one of the strongest contenders for the upcoming edition. That said, here's the announced entire squad of the England Women's side, their probable XI for the tournament and the three players to check out for. 

Announced Women's England 2024 T20 World Cup Full Squad: 

Heather Knight (Captain), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (Wicketkeeper), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Bess Heath

England's Probable XI: 

• Maia Bouchier
• Bess Heath
• Alice Capsey
• Nat Sciver-Brunt
• Heather Knight (Captain)
• Amy Jones (Wicketkeeper)
• Freya Kemp
• Alice Capsey
• Sophie Ecclestone
• Linsey Smith
• Sarah Glenn

Also Read: 2024 Women's T20 World Cup: South Africa Women's Team squad, Probable XI & Top 3 players to check out

Top 3 players to check out from England in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup:

Heather Knight

Heather Knight will be the captain of the upcoming 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, spearheading the Women's English side. Including her leadership assets, her skills as a top-class batter act as a cherry on the top. The England all-rounder has had a successful career, notably helping her team win the ODI Cricket World Cup final 2017.

Knight is a hitter to watch out for in the next event, having scored many runs in all forms and maintaining an excellent consistency. In her 119 matches T20I stint, she has made 2067 runs and scalped 21 wickets.

Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Ecclestone is one of the players to check out from the squad, especially when it comes to the spin-friendly conditions of UAE. Ecclestone brings a deadly combination of talent, precision, spin, and bounce. She has been an essential part of England's recent success and is a top-ranked bowler in the ICC ODI and T20I rankings.

She is an economical wicket-taker who can strangle opposing batters to submission. She brings a wealth of experience, having previously played for England in the 2018 T20 World Cup final. In 86 T20I matches, she has taken 126 wickets at an economy rate of 5.85. 

Nat Sciver-Brunt

Nat Sciver-Brunt is a reliable right-hand batter and medium pacer. Sciver has competed in several T20I competitions worldwide and has extensive expertise in white-ball cricket. Sciver was a key member of England's Women's Cricket World Cup-winning side in 2017, playing in the middle order.

She has garnered various honours and acclaim for her on-field efforts. Not to forget her crucial contributions to the Mumbai Indians side in the WPL, where she was equally instrumental with the bat and ball. In her T20I stint, she has made 2513 runs and scalped 86 wickets in 122 matches. 

The latest edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac has crowned Australian skipper Pat Cummins and England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt as the leading cricketers of the world. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional performances through the 2023 season, marking significant milestones not only in their careers but also in cricket history.

Test Championship and World Cup Success

Pat Cummins led Australia to historical victories in 2023, securing their maiden ICC World Test Championship against India and capturing their sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title in Ahmedabad. As a pace spearhead and astute leader, Cummins’ role was pivotal in navigating his team through the high stakes of international cricket.

See Also: “I am not happy”: Rashid Khan on his wicket tally in IPL 2024

Cummins is the first Aussie since Michael Clarke to secure the top honour and he has succeeded Ben Stokes, the English skipper who won the honour three times in 2020, 2021 and 2023. In 11 Tests last year, he took 42 wickets and scored 254 crucial runs at an average of 15.87. Across 24 international games, he took 59 wickets and made 422 runs at an average of 21.10. Within these 422 runs were many small, but impactful batting contributions throughout the Ashes and Cricket World Cup.

Key Performances in the Ashes

Beyond the global tournaments, Cummins also played a crucial part in the Ashes, where Australia defended the urn in a challenging away series against England, which ended in a 2-2 draw. His leadership was particularly notable in maintaining team morale and strategy across different formats.

Overview of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s Stellar Year

Nat Sciver-Brunt shone brilliantly in the women’s Ashes, contributing significantly to England’s victories. Her back-to-back centuries in the ODIs underscored her critical role in the lineup, making her one of the most formidable batters of the year.

Sciver-Brunt’s prowess wasn’t limited to ODIs. In T20 internationals, she maintained an impressive batting average and took multiple wickets, highlighting her versatility and consistency as an all-rounder. Her rapid century against Sri Lanka set a new record for the fastest ODI hundred by an England woman, further cementing her status in international cricket.

Highlights from Other Prominent Cricketers in 2024

Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, and Ashleigh Gardner were also recognized for their performances. Starc’s bowling was instrumental in both the Ashes and the World Cup, while Khawaja topped the run charts in the Ashes. Gardner’s all-round abilities were crucial in Australia’s strategies and victories across formats.

Harry Brook and Mark Wood made significant impacts for England. Brook’s resilient batting helped turn around the Ashes series, while Wood’s fast bowling dismantled key partnerships during crucial matches.

The Wisden Awards hold a prestigious place in cricket, acknowledging individual excellence and influence on the sport’s landscape. These accolades not only highlight outstanding performances but also inspire upcoming talents across the globe.

This year’s Wisden also highlighted other cricketers like Hayley Matthews, who excelled in T20 cricket, demonstrating the increasing competitiveness and skill in the women’s game.

The achievements of these cricketers in 2023 have not only enriched their personal careers but also significantly influenced cricket strategies and fan engagement worldwide. The rise of aggressive playing styles, often referred to as “Bazball,” promises to reshape future approaches to cricket, particularly in Test formats.

Ever since its inception in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), it has been one of the significant bricks in the growth and reach of Indian female cricket. From the promising performances of the emerging players to the display of pure class calibre by the experienced players, the tournament has been a gateway for the impeccable display of cricket talent.

As the tournament gears up for its second edition in the coming few days, all five teams have created robust arsenals in the auction process and are geared up for the intriguing and intense clashes. With all five teams making their final squads for the coming few days of the WPL 2024, here are the top players from each participating team to check out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil demonstrated her bowling skills during the WPL 2023 season, taking six wickets in 7 matches with an average of 32.00. Her impressive performance for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2023 as the best wicket-taker with an economy rate of 5.83 demonstrates her significance as a reliable bowler in critical situations. Patil’s ability to develop breakthroughs under duress makes her a valuable asset to the team. She can be a spinmeister for the RCB in the long run, especially after a mediocre inaugural run and enhancement of expectations for the second edition.

Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver Brunt

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the English cricketer, has emerged as a vital role in the Mumbai Indians Women’s team. Sciver performed excellently in the last WPL season, scoring 332 runs in 10 games at a fantastic average of 66.40 and a stunning strike rate of 140.08.

Her recent performances in the T20I series in India and the WBBL 2023/24 season highlight her place in the team’s batting order. And it is not a surprise that the defending champions would keep their performance consistent with the help of a top-notch squad.

See also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/wpl-2024-top-3-contenders-to-win-the-purple-cap

Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning

Meg Lanning, an experienced 31-year-old Australian cricketer, will exhibit her hitting prowess in the forthcoming 2024 Women’s Premier League season. Lanning’s ability to perform under duress is demonstrated by his remarkable aggregate of 345 runs in nine outings.

With an average of 49.29 and an excellent strike rate of 139.11, her leadership and hitting skills are expected to be critical in guiding her team to success. As a seasoned campaigner and the leading run-scorer in the 2023 season, Lanning brings skill and leadership to the Delhi Capitals Women, where she hopes to guide her side to success.

UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy

The dynamic captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy, is a shining example of consistency and intensity in the UP Warriorz team. Her outstanding results in the last WPL season, when she scored 253 runs in 9 matches with a fantastic strike rate of 141.34, highlight her importance as a top-order hitter.

With a strong track record in international cricket and a flair for excelling under pressure, Healy exemplifies the team’s aggressive style at the crease. Her achievements on the pitch have undoubtedly aided UP Warriorz Women’s campaign, displaying her potential to thrive in the WPL’s fierce competition.

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney, an accomplished Australian cricketer, adds extensive expertise to the Gujarat Giants. As a consistent opener, Mooney’s dependability and aggressiveness have the potential to stabilise the team’s batting lineup and successfully anchor innings. Her recent outstanding performance in WBBL 2023-2024, when she scored the most runs in the competition, demonstrates her capacity to dominate the field.

Though her injury hampered her prospects of playing in the inaugural edition, it is clear that the top T20I women’s batter would leave no stone unturned in displaying her calibre to the Gujarat Giants, who are seeking to turn the tables after their forgettable first season.