Nasser Hussain predicts Women's T20 World Cup winner, dark horse and the players to watch out for
ICC Commentator and former England men's captain, Nasser Hussain joins ICC Review host Sanjana Ganesan to chat through form, predictions and players to watch out for at the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was giving little away in terms of selection ahead of her side's opening match at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka on Friday.
The tournament hosts have used a variety of players during their warm-up fixtures for the T20 World Cup and pose a wealth of riches in most departments with good depth in their spin bowling ranks and a bevy of quality batting options at the top of their order.
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What that means in terms of selection for the opening match of the T20 World Cup in Edgbaston on Friday remains to be seen and Sciver-Brunt was giving nothing away when asked about the make-up of her side for the clash with Sri Lanka.
Sciver-Brunt has already confirmed she will play purely as a batter as she returns to full fitness following a calf concern, while the England skipper also suggested it would be unlikely that the side will use all three of their left-arm spin options - Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Tilly Corteen-Coleman - in the same XI.
But where that leaves all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson remains unanswered, while there is also plenty to ponder for the England captain at the top of their batting order with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones, Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley all jostling for positions.
Sciver-Brunt said all will be revealed at the toss at Edgbaston on Friday, but the England captain did note that all members of her squad would likely get the chance to show their wares during the 12-team tournament.
"We have a squad of 15 players, all of whom could be part of our XI," Sciver-Brunt noted on Thursday at the pre-match press conference.
"Selecting that final XI is hard and there'll be some disappointed people because everybody so far in the summer has put their hand up with different performances at different times.
"We know that we'll need to call upon every one of those 15 people during this tournament. It's not just about the XI. And I suppose that makes for some tough conversations and I'm sure some disappointed people."
Selection looks somewhat more clearcut for Sri Lanka, with the Asian side looking relatively settled in comparison to the tournament hosts after they quietly impressed during the warm-up fixtures when they finished unbeaten with victories over the Netherlands and Pakistan.
Experienced skipper Chamari Athapaththu will once again be the lynchpin for Sri Lanka against England as the veteran gears up for her 10th appearance at the T20 World Cup having previously featured at every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2009
Sri Lanka ease past Netherlands | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026 warm-ups
Netherlands had their moments but Sri Lanka got the upper hand in the game from the first innings.
And Athapaththu enters the opening contest quietly confident her side can cause an upset, with the Sri Lanka captain embracing the tag of underdogs given all the pressure and focus will be on their opponents.
"The game is very important game for both the teams, but we are coming with underdog tag because we need to earn something," Athapaththu said.
"But I know England have a little bit pressure because they're playing in their home condition and first game and with a lot of expectation.
"And most of the England people are coming here for cheering for them.
"I feel some kind of pressure they have. So we don't have that kind of pressure.
"So we just need to play our fearless cricket. And if we can play our best cricket tomorrow, I know we can change and make — we can make history."
England squad : Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Sri Lanka squad : Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi
England v Sri Lanka | Catch the Spirit Match Preview | Women's T20WC 2026
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