Women’s ODI World Cup | England has a point to prove as it faces South Africa

Only Australia has won more women’s cricket World Cups than England. In 2017, England had emerged as the champion at home. In the last ODI World Cup, it had contested the final (no prize for guessing against whom).

Yet, the Englishwomen aren’t the second favourite to win this World Cup. The Indians are.

While India has been making steady progress, England has had a largely forgettable year so far, including a whitewash in Australia. But, if the warm-up matches are anything to go by, England is in form, having won all four of them, against Australia, India and New Zealand.

This England side contains some of the game’s biggest names and is coached by one of the most respected coaches around: Charlotte Edwards had guided Mumbai Indians to the title in two out of the three editions of the WPL.

She will be keen to ensure England opens its campaign on the right note against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

Edwards must be hoping the likes of Nat Sciver-Brunt — the captain who scored 120 before retiring out against India in the warm-up match — Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell find their touch from the earliest of days.

Edwards could lean on her experience in India as a player and MI coach. So could some of the English players who have taken part in the WPL.

South Africa’s two main players have also had the WPL experience. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt — whose cover drives should be one of the highlights of this World Cup — and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp are two stalwarts the Proteas could be banking on.

There is more experience in the form of Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon and Ayabonga Khaka.

And remember, South Africa was in the semifinals of the last two ODI and the T20I World Cups.