Based mostly on latest outcomes and world rankings, Australia and India are the opposite heavyweights.
The previous’s report speaks for itself, and whereas the latter are nonetheless in search of a primary international title, they’re quickly enhancing.
India’s frustration at latest World Cups has been much like England’s – promising group-stage efforts adopted by a stumble on the final hurdle.
They virtually beat Australia within the 2023 semi-final just for captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s bat getting caught within the floor and inflicting her run out, however the seismic change since that event has been the introduction of the Ladies’s Premier League.
A latest shock noticed Sri Lanka beat them to win the Asia Cup, however the emergence of younger gamers like off-spinner Shreyanka Patil, the type of Deepti Sharma and world class expertise in Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana makes them a power to be reckoned with, however their skill to complete innings strongly with the bat continues to be a query.
“It is a matter of ‘when’ and never ‘if’ India win a World Cup,” mentioned Hartley.
“They’re hit or miss, however they’re gaining in power and depth from the WPL now.”
As for Australia, there have been some glimpses of their star high quality fading considerably in latest months, beginning with T20 and ODI defeats by England within the Ashes and one-off defeats to India, West Indies and South Africa.
Their batting run-rate has dropped barely within the center overs (7-15) and loss of life overs (16-20) in comparison with the earlier World Cup cycle – whereas they’re conceding extra runs in each section when bowling.
However write them off at your peril, as Katherine Sciver-Brunt warns: “If something, dropping makes them extra harmful as a result of they may know different groups are after them, and that can get them fired up.”
They’re with out retired famous person captain Meg Lanning, who led them to glory in 2023, however they’re a facet awash with world greats: Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner and Megan Schutt to call a couple of, with younger weapons Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield offering the joy.
The circumstances within the UAE may additionally stage the enjoying area, with it being a impartial venue and simply seven ladies’s matches being performed at Sharjah (zero at Dubai) and none since 2017.
