ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Players to watch out for
What's the story
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 is set to start from February 21 onwards. A total of 10 teams namely Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, England, West Indies, South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will battle it out. There are several players wanting to thrive at the biggest stage. Here are players to watch out for.
Perry and Healy
Alyssa Healy and Elysse Perry will look to power Australia
Wicket-keeper batswoman Alyssa Healy was player of the tournament in the 2018 edition of the World T20. She had amassed 225 runs at an average of 56.25. Healy will want to contribute after going through a lean spell recently. 29-year-old Elysse Perry will play a substantial role as an all-rounder. With 113 wickets in 116 games, Perry has been a champion asset.
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana will lead India's batting show
Indian opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana will need to shoulder responsibility of the side in terms of scoring. She has been in sublime form of late and was the highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded T20I tri-series involving England and Australia. Mandhana has registered 1,667 runs in 71 matches at an average of 26.04. She has amassed 12 half-centuries in T20Is.
Suzie Bates
Veteran Suzie Bates can light up Kiwis' campaign
New Zealand's Suzie Bates is the top-ranked Twenty20 batswoman and the highest run-scorer as well. The player is also New Zealand's highest run-scorer in both limited-overs formats. A proficient and elegant batsman, she has all the attributes to put pressure on the bowlers. She has 3,195 runs in T20Is at 31.01 which included one ton and 21 half-centuries.
Stafanie Taylor
West Indies' Stafanie Taylor a solid T20I customer
West Indies' Stafanie Taylor is one of the leading T20I performers. The 28-year-old batswoman has amassed a staggering 2,900 career T20I runs in 100 matches at 35.80. She will need to be the mainstay of this West Indies side. WI come into the tournament with nine successive T20 losses. However, Taylor, who was absent with an injury, needs to rally the side.