Buoyed by recent series results against India and West Indies, and with an assertive approach instilled by new Head Coach Jon Lewis, England head into their eighth T20 World Cup campaign with genuine hopes of adding to their 2009 title in the format.
Read on to discover more about their route to the knockout stages, and potentially beyond, in the imminent edition of the tournament in South Africa.
Saturday 11 February: England v West Indies
The Three Lions’ first opponents bring no little pedigree, with victory in the 2016 tournament to their name and Men’s Test legend Courtney Walsh as Head Coach.
Captain Hayley Matthews and star player Stafanie Taylor remain part of their roster, but Taylor’s injury troubles have severely limited her game-time, and their most recent T20 series against England, South Africa and India have ended in crushing defeats.
Monday 13 February: England v Ireland
England’s neighbours from across the Irish Sea are beginning to reap the benefits of the introduction of full-time central contracts in early 2022, with a talented young side having secured an historic T20 series win over Pakistan in November.
Victory over Australia was secured, meanwhile, in their World Cup warm-up encounter in Stellenbosch – with Orla Prendergast’s 2/19 from four overs proving crucial.
Saturday 18 February: England v India
A matter of weeks after India completed a comprehensive triumph over England in the U19 World Cup final, their more senior compatriots, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will seek similar success in Port Elizabeth.
With a sprinkling of stardust from the likes of Smriti Manhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma, a maiden global T20 title – after falling well short in the 2020 showpiece at the MCG – is in the sights of the Women in Blue.
Tuesday 21 February: England v Pakistan
England’s group stage concludes at Cape Town, where a Pakistan side deflated by recent defeats to Australia will be hoping to still be in the hunt for their first-ever knockout stage appearance in the competition.
Their most recent encounter against the Three Lions in the format came in 2020’s World Cup, with Heather Knight’s quickfire half-century and Sarah Glenn’s three wickets proving crucial in a commanding performance.
23-26 February: The knockout stages
The leading two sides from each five-team group will progress to the competition’s final weekend – where formidable opposition are sure to lie in wait.
Chief amongst them is likely to be an Australia side who have gained an aura of invincibility in recent years, having claimed the 2020 crown under the guidance of current England Men’s white-ball coach Matthew Mott.
Hosts South Africa – featuring star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp but without unselected longtime skipper Dane van Niekerk – and a New Zealand side featuring the likes of Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine will also be amongst those vying for a spot in the final four.
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England at Trent Bridge
Trent Bridge will host three international matches in 2023, with the sole Test Match of the Women’s Ashes taking place at Nottinghamshire’s historic home, before England’s men face New Zealand and Ireland in IT20 and ODI contests respectively.
Secure your seats at trentbridge.co.uk/internationals.