Women’s T20 World Cup: England captain Skiver Brandt eyes ‘Euro moment’

From the semi-final at The Oval, India know they will be playing in the clash on June 30 if they qualify for the quarter-finals. The first semi-final is scheduled to start at 14:30 GMT to suit the Indian television audience.

This follows a recent pattern in world championships, especially for men, where India’s path through the competition has been pre-determined. The arrangements raise questions about sporting integrity.

T20 World Cup director Beth Barrett-Wilde said balancing fairness and commercial opportunities was a “perpetual” challenge.

“We’re comfortable with that balance,” Barrett-Wild said.

“Both the semi-final matches will be played at the same venue, so the same conditions for all the teams. From a global game perspective, if India makes it to the semi-finals, it gives us that access for India to tune in and watch that match.”

Barrett Wilde said the tournament would take a “monitoring brief” on any disruption that might be caused by the US-Israel war with Iran.

The conflict has already caused the cancellation of England’s training camp in Abu Dhabi, which was due to start this week.

England have not played since losing in the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup in October, and the Abu Dhabi trip was due to be the third of three winter camps designed to inform selection for the summer.

“Obviously this is a bit of a scary time in the world,” Skiver-Brent said. “As cricketers, we are very flexible and adaptable. We are looking for alternative venues so that we can get out and participate in some of this program that we would have done.”

England’s light winter schedule has contributed to Loren Fyler’s lack of competitive action – the fast bowler has not bowled since the summer.

The 25-year-old said she used the break to reorganize her career in a bid to avoid injuries and perhaps add extra pace to her bowling.

Weiler is already one of the most feared bowlers in the women’s game, and rates herself and Australia’s Tayla Vlaeminck as the fastest in the world.

80mph is seen as the benchmark for top speed in the women’s game. Filer is just starting to finish its full run, so we haven’t learned yet if the new approach will make it that fast on a regular basis.

“I would love for someone to reach 80 mph consistently,” she said. “That would be a great prospect for the women’s game and I think it can happen.”