The ICC Women World Cup 2022 began on March 4 in the host country, New Zealand. The tournament had to be postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be held in six locations, with the ICC opting for a ‘managed environment’ rather than strict bio-bubbles.
Each team will play one match against the other, resulting in a total of seven group matches at the end of the tournament. The top four teams from the group round will advance to the knockout semifinal round. The winners of each semifinal in Women’s Cricket World Cup will advance to the final, which will be held on April 3.
Mithali Raj will be hoping for a first title in what will be her final appearance for India on the international stage, Heather Knight will be hoping to retain her title, and Meg Lanning appears set to lead Australia to a ‘Magnificent Seventh.’
Check out the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 live score
India, who finished second in the previous edition in 2005, will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament opener, while hosts New Zealand, who won the title in 2000, will face West Indies. Australia, the most successful team with six titles, will face England, the defending champions and four-time champions.
What are the ICC Women’s World Cup standings?
| Australia | 3-0 | 6 points |
| South Africa | 3-0 | 6 points |
| India | 2-1 | 4 points |
| New Zealand | 2-2 | 4 points |
| West Indies | 2-1 | 4 points |
| Bangladesh | 1-2 | 2 points |
| England | 0-3 | 0 points |
| Pakistan | 0-4 | 0 points |
How are the teams shaping up?
Australia
In the ODI section of the Ashes, Australia – notably the bowlers – were dominant and extended that form into their first warm-up match against the West Indies, but the tournament favourites were comprehensively defeated by New Zealand in their second practise match.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s participation in the competition is a huge step forward for the country, which has yet to play an ODI against Australia, England, New Zealand, or the West Indies.
England
England claims to have ‘parked’ its 3-0 loss to Australia in the Ashes One-Day Internationals by winning warm-up matches against Bangladesh and South Africa. They were unsure who would open partner Tammy Beaumont going into the competition, but Lauren Winfield-Hill, a veteran combatant, appears to be the choice.
India
India appeared out of sorts in their 4-1 ODI series loss to New Zealand last month, but Smriti Mandhana’s late return from quarantine has given them a boost. Their strongest batting line-up is yet unknown, but the form of big guns like Mandhana, Mithali Raj, and Harmanpreet Kaur is encouraging.
New Zealand
The White Ferns have taken to the air! They dominated India in a 4-1 series triumph, and after losing their first warm-up match against Pakistan, they bounced back with a nine-wicket victory over Australia. Amelia Kerr, a leg-spinner who has been promoted to No. 3 in the order, has scored 92no, 66, 68no, 67, and 119no in her previous five appearances.
Pakistan
Pakistan will be encouraged by their first warm-up win over New Zealand, which was followed by a narrow victory over Bangladesh, as captain Bismah Maroof returns from maternity leave for their World Cup campaign.
South Africa
South Africa has only played the West Indies twice in the last 12 months, once at home and once away, for six victories and two ties, with the West Indies winning the super over on both occasions. Their World Cup campaign began with defeats to India and England in warm-up matches.
West Indies
West Indies are another difficult team to predict; despite having some of the best players in the world in their side, they have struggled to make an impression in one-day cricket in recent years. They have lost two ODI series to South Africa in the last year, but have swept Pakistan 3-0.
Check out the ICC Women World Cup Match Schedule
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