The cricket carnival our Giant Army had been waiting for is finally here!
The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is up and running with the 10 participating teams aiming to get their combinations right in the warm-up games.
As far as our Giants are concerned, skipper Beth Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Tanuja Kanwar and Phoebe Litchfield will represent their respective teams for the ninth edition of the competition.
Let’s have a sneak peek into how our sextet of Giants fare ahead of the much anticipated tournament:
1. Beth Mooney (Australia)
Following a breathtaking performance in the 2023 edition, our captain Beth Mooney is ready to make it to the headlines once again.
The Aussie has geared up perfectly with an attacking 30-ball 50 at a strike rate of 166.66 in the 33-run win over England.
Moreover, she also holds the record of scoring the most runs in a single edition when she smashed 259 runs in just six innings in 2020 to guide Australia to their fifth triumph in the history of the tournament.
Last time out, the wicket-keeper batter played out an unbeaten 74-run knock in the final against South Africa to power her team to a record-extending sixth trophy. Expect the decorated Australian to come out all guns blazing!
2. Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
With two knocks of 33 (vs New Zealand) and 29 (vs India) in the warm-up games, Wolvaardt is getting into the zone before the tournament finally kicks off.
The leading run-getter of the 2023 edition with 230 runs, the 25-year-old played an instrumental role in helping the Proteas reach their first-ever final in the Women’s T20 World Cup, where they concluded as runners-up.
Leading South Africa for the first time in an ICC event is by no means a small feat and our Giant will look to make the most of the opportunity by making a positive impact.
3. Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
Deemed as one of the best all-rounders in the world among the current crop of cricketers, Ashleigh Gardner is anticipated to spearhead the Aussie challenge in the tournament.
Amassing 110 runs in addition to bagging 10 wickets, she was named the Player of the Tournament in Australia’s triumphant 2023 campaign.
Furthermore, she is one of the only four female cricketers to bag a five-wicket haul (5/12 vs New Zealand - 2023) in the competition’s history.
One can back the right-hander to weave her magic yet again!
4. Dayalan Hemalatha (India)
Dayalan Hemalatha made her T20I debut in the opening encounter of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2018, playing a cameo of 7-ball 15.
The aggressive top-order batter has all the skills in her arsenal to take the bowlers to the cleaners and will be at it against the global heavyweights.
5. Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand)
Lea Tahuhu has been among the first names on the White Ferns’ team sheet over the years. The right-arm pacer has scalped 88 wickets in 90 T20Is since her debut in 2011.
In the two warm-up matches played, our Giant has bagged three wickets (1/28 against South Africa and 2/14 vs England) and will be raring to continue the momentum heading into the tournament.
6. Tanuja Kanwer (India)
Tanuja Kanwer is one of the three travelling reserves for India. The left-arm spinner has been fairly economical in the 4 T20Is she has played so far, with a wicket at an economy of 4.75.
Our 26-year-old Giant will be all set to step up in the event of an unfortunate injury or withdrawal in the Indian camp.
7. Phoebe Litchfield (Australia)
The explosive batter has demonstrated her prowess in the shortest format of the game, accumulating 268 runs in 16 T20Is at a strike rate of 153.14.
Unfortunately, a groin injury sidelined her from the two warm-up matches as her participation remains uncertain for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
