ENGLAND

Expectations are high as tournament hosts. Throw in the fact that England have underperformed at global events in recent times given the talent, depth and resources at their disposal, and the pressure is on. A 193-day drought of fixtures between the 50-over World Cup and the start of their recent series against New Zealand and India culminated in 2-1 victories over both.

That was without injured captain Nat Sciver Brunt throughout and opening batter Danni Wyatt Hodge, on parental leave for all but the last two games. All eyes will be on Sciver-Brunt, who expects to be fit for the start, playing as a batter only at least until deep into the tournament.

In their absence, Charlie Dean led the side with distinction and a number of batters stood up in various unfamiliar positions in the line-up. Linsey Smith proved virtually unplayable, to New Zealand at least, in a bowling attack stacked with left-arm spinners, including 18-year-old newcomer Tilly Corteen-Coleman.

Fielding, which led to their ouster in 2024, is improving and the key will be maintaining their rise in form under the weight of a home crowd willing them to lift the trophy at Lord’s. Given their position in the easier group, it feels like reaching that contest is a minimum standard – and that’s heavy.

IRELAND

Ireland return to the T20 World Cup after missing the 2024 edition, having secured qualification in style.  This will be their fifth appearance at the tournament and they arrive with a young squad that has a few experienced campaigners, including Gaby Lewis, who will captain Ireland at a T20 World Cup for the first time.

Ireland head into the tournament with confidence after a few encouraging results, including a landmark first T20I win against West Indies and a win against Pakistan in the tri-series at home. Several players stood out, notably opener Amy Hunter, fast bowler Ava Canning and allrounder Orla Prendergast.

Conditions in England are expected to be relatively similar to home, which could work in Ireland’s favour. They face a challenging group but will back themselves to spring a surprise or two. They are also yet to win a match in 17 attempts at the T20 World Cup, and they will look to turn that around. They will, however, be without the experience of injured former captain Laura Delany.

Squad: Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Alice Tector, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell

Player to watch

Since making her T20I debut as a 17-year-old in 2019, Orla Prendergast has developed into the side’s premier allrounder and was named vice-captain for the T20 World Cup. Since the start of 2025, she has scored 653 runs, including six half-centuries, while also taking 20 wickets at an economy rate of 5.60 in 23 games.

She single-handedly took down West Indies during the tri-series, first returning figures of 2 for 21 before following with 71 not out off 46 balls for a historic win. She made a few crucial contributions at the 2023 T20 World Cup and, alongside captain Lewis, will carry much of Ireland’s hope of making an impact.

Predicted finish: Group stage

NEW ZEALAND 

If horrible form coming to the T20 World Cup was New Zealand’s recipe for success in 2024, they might be on the wrong path this time. They lifted the trophy by reaching the UAE after four series losses on the bounce that included ten consecutive defeats, and just one T20I victory in the year. But since becoming T20 world champions, New Zealand have largely returned promising results, with back-to-back series wins against Zimbabwe and South Africa (both at home) in 2026 before their recent series loss in England.

When the T20I series in England was locked at 1-1, New Zealand were bundled for 80, crumbling against both pace and spin. Like in the ODI World Cup last year, Sophie Devine emerged as New Zealand’s top-scorer yet again in this contest, ending the series with the underlying feeling that a lot might rest on her again with the bat because losing wickets early and in clumps remains their big issue.

This tournament will also be remembered for the international farewells of Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, closing in on 900 international appearances collectively, and now that they have tasted success, New Zealand would want to bid them adieu with another trophy.

Squad: Isabella Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Polly Inglis (wk), Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Melie Kerr (capt), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Brooke Halliday, Nensi Patel, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu

Player to watch

Melie Kerr is just 25 and the joke going around is that she is already going to play her 75th World Cup. In reality, she will be at her fifth T20 World Cup (she has played another three in ODIs) and her first as captain after Devine passed on the baton – along with trophy – in 2024.

For New Zealand, this World Cup could easily be one to remember for the outgoing trio, but it must not be forgotten what a big role Kerr continues to play. After being named the Player of the Final and the Tournament in 2024, she has led her team’s run charts and has bagged the second most wickets. For a player who has earned accolades since she was 16, she could easily add more by lifting the trophy as captain.

Predicted finish: Semi-finalists

SCOTLAND

Scotland return for a second successive T20 World Cup after making their tournament debut in the UAE two years ago, with as many as ten members of the squad retained. They secured qualification through the global qualifiers in Nepal, after edging out strong competition from USA. Their build-up has been encouraging. Scotland recently topped a home tri-series involving Bangladesh and Netherlands, winning three of their four matches. Those games have formed a key part of their preparation for the tournament in England.

What they have lacked is sustained exposure against the game’s biggest sides, a challenge commonly faced by Associates. This means Scotland will need to adapt quickly and hit the ground running once the tournament begins if they are to notch their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup win.

Squad: Kathryn Bryce (capt), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul

Player to watch

Left-arm spinner Kristie Gordon is back with Scotland for a second stint after switching allegiances again. Her first was from 2012 to 2017, but this one, from last December, comes at a time when Scotland are on the ascendancy as far as their women’s cricket structure goes and follows her five T20Is and one Test for England in 2018-19.

Gordon’s thrifty left-arm spin played a massive role in their tri-series performance, her three-for against Netherlands laying down the marker. Gordon’s accuracy and control through the middle overs have made her a bankable bowler. Her familiarity with Kathryn Bryce, the captain – they are team-mates at The Blaze – has also gone a long way in her second wind with Scotland.

Predicted finish: Group stage

SRI LANKA 

The headline is that Sri Lanka are bouncing into this World Cup on five straight T20I victories, all of them away from home (two matches in the Caribbean, and three in Bangladesh). And no, these wins were not all about Chamari Athapaththu. Sure, she claimed the Player of the Series award in both series, but Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Kavisha Dilhari had Player of the Match awards through this stretch, too. Sri Lanka also have happy memories in England, where they won a T20I series against a depleted England side in 2023.

They enter another global tournament as a team with some promise, but one that still has not broken through into the top tier of women’s cricket, having never made the semi-final of a World Cup. Although their batting seems in half-decent shape now, even when Athapaththu fails, their seam bowling is yet to seriously prove itself. Malki Madara, 25, has shown talent, but this will be her first T20 World Cup.

It is likely Sri Lanka will bank on spin again, even on tracks that might suit seamers better. When up against the batting powerhouses, Sri Lanka need to find ways to restrict oppositions to totals their own fledgling batting order can run down.

Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya

Player to watch

Thankfully, Chamari Athapaththu has indicated she is happy to play for Sri Lanka a little longer – or so at least new coach Jamie Siddons has said. For now, there are no concerns that this could be her last World Cup. But what is clear is that again, many of Sri Lanka’s hopes revolve around the greatest Sri Lanka player of her age.

She’s in half-decent nick coming into the tournament, but perhaps more importantly, she has a track record of raising her game for the big events. While the big hitting remains Athapaththu’s foremost strength, she’s also still improving as an offspinner and will be a key member of Sri Lanka’s attack in England as well.

Predicted finish: They will be in the conversation for a semi-final spot.

WEST INDIES

Up-and-down form has defined West Indies’ T20 side since their rousing run to the semi-final in 2024. Aside from a 3-0 home series victory against Bangladesh, they have secured a one-match upset against India and a 2-1 series win against South Africa but then lost both their completed games against Sri Lanka at the start of this year. They finished joint top with Ireland in the recent tri-series with Pakistan, where captain Hayley Matthews was their familiar standout.

That said, young quick Jannillea Glasgow is establishing herself as an allrounder with an unbeaten half-century against South Africa last year, and she was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tri-series with 42 against Pakistan and 36 against Ireland batting at No. 7. In between them, Matthews and Glasgow have a wealth of experienced players to lean on in allrounders Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry and Stafanie Taylor, who is making inroads back into bowling after nearly five years in T20Is, as she closes in on 100 wickets.

Qiana Joseph, who blew England away with the bat at the previous edition of this tournament, impressed with her left-arm spin during the tri-series, bowling with an economy of 4.90 and finishing off Ireland with 3 for 8 in their first match. If they can deliver on the promise of their last global tournament, they can squeeze New Zealand for a place in the semi-finals. But that will require a team performance.

Squad: Hayley Matthews (capt), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector

Player to watch

Named vice-captain this year, Chinelle Henry has put herself on the radar for big franchises like the WPL, initially as an injury replacement in 2025 but then as part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning team this year, where she scored an unbeaten 35 off 15 and took two wickets in the final, finishing among leading wicket-takers for the tournament. Her explosive hitting, ability to take key wickets and athletic fielding make her one of the most entertaining players around.

Predicted finish: Semi-finals… unless New Zealand have all their big-name players firing.

[Cricinfo]

Akeem Auguste, Jewel Andrew and Shamar Springer have been called up to West Indies’ T20I squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Jamaica.

From the group that featured at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Johnson Charles, Quentin Sampson and Jayden Seales drop out. Alzarri Joseph was not considered for the series as part of workload management plans.

China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have pledged to deepen their cooperation, according to state media, as Xi made a rare visit to Pyongyang.

During a summit late on Monday, Xi told Kim he aimed to drive progress in ties, and both leaders agreed to strive for closer strategic communication, the official KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday

Kim, for his part, affirmed that North Korea and China will maintain their friendship as “the most important top-priority strategic work”, the KCNA reported.

Kim called Xi “the greatest state guest”, saying he views the fact that Xi chose North Korea as a destination for his first foreign travel this year as “the most encouraging support” to North Korea, according to KCNA.

Kim also reiterated Pyongyang’s support for Beijing’s “one China principle”, a reference to Beijing’s official position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Kim and Xi also discussed international and regional issues and reached a broad agreement on strengthening strategic coordination to safeguard their shared interests, KCNA said.

China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday that Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade, agriculture, construction and technology.

Xi said the two countries should strengthen strategic cooperation and firmly safeguard their respective sovereignty and security interests, according to the report.

It was Xi’s first visit to North Korea in seven years. Xi and Kim last met in Beijing in September after viewing a military parade alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other foreign leaders.

Kim welcomed Xi with a red carpet, guard of honour and a 21-gun salute. The two leaders, accompanied by their wives and senior officials, attended a performance of Chinese and North Korean songs before Kim hosted a banquet for the Chinese delegation.

Xi marked the occasion – the 65th anniversary of the neighbours’ friendship treaty – by declaring that relations had reached “a new historical starting point”, according to KCNA.

It was not immediately clear if the leaders plan further talks on Tuesday, when South Korean media said Xi is likely to visit the Sino-Korean Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, which commemorates Chinese soldiers who died in the Korean War in the 1950s.

The two sides often describe their relationship as one forged in blood, in a reference to the Chinese intervention in the Korean War. But mistrust has strained ties in recent years, particularly after China backed international sanctions against North Korea’s nuclear programme.

“China is now trying to reassert its influence over a strategically important partner, which has increasingly turned to Russia for oil and aid in return for North Korean soldiers and weapons [in the war on Ukraine],” said Al Jazeera’s Jack Barton, reporting from Seoul.

Kim is eager to keep China close despite his warming ties with Russia, he said.

“Kim no doubt knows that Russian leverage will probably run out if and when the Ukraine war ends because Russia will no longer need North Korean troops or weapons,” Barton added. “Survival for North Korea depends on China.”

Experts said Xi would use China’s position as North Korea’s dominant trading partner to keep Pyongyang within its orbit.

“The North Korean military-industrial complex is now much more intertwined with the Russian one than the Chinese one,” he told Al Jazeera, describing the visit as an attempt by Xi “to remind the North Koreans who their main trading partner is”.

Young added that Xi was also likely to use the trip to expand Chinese tourism to North Korea, as part of what he called “red tourism” based on fostering revolutionary nostalgia tied to the Korean War era.

Separately, North Korean media did not say whether Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme or relations ⁠with the United States figured in Xi-Kim talks.

Before Xi’s arrival, Kim announced plans to increase nuclear production capacity exponentially. North Korea’s weapons programme has driven closer defence ties between the US, Japan and South Korea, something that Beijing has opposed.

Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu, reporting from Beijing, noted the conspicuous absence of denuclearisation from the agenda. Yu said the state media reports in Beijing and Pyongyang show that the two leaders are sending a clear message that their relationship is stronger than ever.

“North Korea is also a priority for Xi, given that he’s hosted dozens of world leaders this year, including Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. But this is the first time he’s actually left China to meet another leader. Both sides also talked about deeper cooperation. One specific line by Chinese state media really said it all, that China is going to help North Korea move towards modernisation,” she said.

“China is really using the carrot more than the stick approach, moving closer to Pyongyang and emphasising a warming of ties at a time when it’s increasing its rivalry with the United States.”

[Aljazeera]