Preview: ICC WT20 2018, Group A

Teams and fixtures
West Indies
England
Sri Lanka
South Africa
Bangladesh**10 Nov:**West Indies v Bangladesh; England v Sri Lanka
**12 Nov:**England v Bangladesh; Sri Lanka v South Africa

**14 Nov:**Sri Lanka v Bangladesh; West Indies v South Africa

**16 Nov:**England South Africa; West Indies v Sri Lanka

**18 Nov:**West Indies v England; South Africa v Bangladesh

History in the tournamentWest Indies ****are a force to be reckoned with in the ICC Women's World T20. After three consecutive semi-final exits in 2010, 2012 and 2014, the Windies turned around their fortunes to win emphatically in 2016, making them the team to beat this time around. Stafanie Taylor's side will be looking to draw all they can from their home advantage in their bid to defend the title.

Despite having only one victorious campaign to their name, in the tournament's first edition in 2009, England are always there or thereabouts. Two agonising defeats to rivals Australia in the 2012 and 2014 finals will have been hard to take, as well as a semi-final exit in 2016, so expect the MRF Tyres ICC T20I third ranked side to come out with a point to prove this time out.

Sri Lanka are stalwarts of the competition, having competed in every edition, however they are yet to qualify from the group stage. The no.8 ranked side will need an inspired performance to topple the likes of England and West Indies to reach the knockout stage.

South Africa are something of an enigma in the ICC Women's World T20, having never really reached their potential in this format at the highest stage – a semi-final place in 2014 being the peak of their achievements in the competition. Following a recent T20I series in the West Indies in which the Proteas drew with the current holders 2-2, there is certainly reason to believe that this could be the tournament where their fortune changes.

Bangladeshdoes not have a rich history in this tournament, having failed to escape the group stage on every occasion. In 2016 they lost every match, but expect a re-energised and fairly new-look Bangladesh side this time out that has gained priceless experience and results in the two years since.

Form guide (most recent first)

West Indies: W-L-L-W-W-L-L-L-L-W

England: W-W-W-L-W-L-L-L-W-W

Sri Lanka: L-L-L-NR-L-L-L-L-W-W

South Africa: W-W-NR-L-L-L-W-L-L-W

Bangladesh: L-L-L-L-W-W-W-W-W-L

**Strengths and WeaknessesWest Indies'**line up will strike fear in opponents in this year's tournament. Their strength lies in the depth of experience within their side, and the versatility that their star players possess. Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and 20-year old superstar Hayley Matthews played huge parts in securing the 2016 title, and they all have bags to offer in both the bowling and batting departments. Matthews, in particular, will be turning heads after her exploits with the bat in the final two years ago- aged just 18, she bludgeoned a magnificent 45-ball 66 to blast her side to tournament victory.

It is hard to decipher a weakness in a side that grabbed the title in such breath-taking fashion last time out, but perhaps the fast-bowling department is slightly thin in numbers, with Shamilia Connell likely to spearhead the pace attack alone. That being said, the likes of Dottin, who picked up a five-wicket-haul in the first game of the tournament, is also a threat.

Englandboast a highly formidable batting line-up going into this tournament, with many of the top order striking rich veins of form at precisely the right time. Danni Wyatt has smashed two T20I centuries in the last year, while Tammy Beaumont has one, and captain Heather Knight finished second on the run-scoring charts in the Women's Cricket Super League. Combine these players with the all-round class of Nat Sciver, and you have a seriously strong batting contingent on your hands.

The late withdrawal of Katherine Brunt due to injury will most definitely weaken the side, and the absence of her guile and experience with the ball might turn out to be most significant. England have talent in their bowling ranks, but lack experience at the top level. Anya Shrubsole's role will be pivotal, as will that of spinner Danielle Hazell, but the supporting tweakers – Linsey Smith, Kirstie Gordon, and Sophia Dunkley – are all uncapped, and 19-year old Sophie Ecclestone has just 14 T20I caps.

Sri Lankawill understandably look to inspiration from Chamari Athapaththu. Her famous 178 against Australia in the World Cup last year was an example of the otherworldly things she can do with the bat, so she is certainly one to look out for. They have a wealth of experience too, with four of their squad having participated in every ICC Women's World T20 to date.

Their weakness, rather understandably given her class, is their over-reliance of Athapaththu. If Sri Lanka are to better their previous performances in this tournament, then it will take a full team effort to prise themselves out of this difficult group. Keep an eye on Kavisha Dilhari too, the 17-year old all-rounder has been tipped to make waves in this year's tournament.
South Africa's seam bowling attack could set this year's tournament alight, and the whole team will be eager to brush aside previous early exits as they bid to reach their first ever final. The Proteas are blessed with the experienced duo of Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail, and should the latter fire like she has done before, then we might just see the MRF Tyres T20I 6th ranked team play to their true potential.

While they possess riches in the fast bowling sector, South Africa might be lacking on the spinning front. Raisibe Ntozakhe's suspension from bowling for an illegal action was certainly untimely, so Dane van Niekerk's efforts might be even more pivotal. Expect her to fire with the bat, too.

Bangladeshwill be hoping that this is their breakthrough tournament, having shocked the world with some magnificent results this year. They toppled India twice on their way to the Asia Cup title, marking their significant progression in the format. On Caribbean wickets predicted to aid the slow bowlers, expect leg-spin duo Rumana Ahmed and Fahima Khatun to play a huge role. Between them they averaged five runs per wicket in the ICC Women's World T20 Qualifier, and Rumana was particularly devastating in the Asia Cup, notching 10 scalps during the campaign.

Batting will be Bangladesh's weak point, should previous results speak any truths, as they have been bowled out in the double-figures numerous times this year. It will be up to the batters to relieve some pressure from the star bowlers, and the stage is lit up for someone to become a hero.

Squads

**West Indies:**Stafanie Taylor (c), Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Merissa Aguilleira, Natasha McLean, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond

**England:**Heather Knight (C), Anya Shrubsole (VC), Tamsin Beaumont, Fran Wilson, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Kirstie Gordon, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones (WK), Natalie Sciver, Linsey Smith, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt

**Sri Lanka:**Chamari Athapaththu (c), Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari, Eshani Lokusooriya, Dilani Manodara (wk), Yashoda Mendis, Hasini Perera, Udeshika Prabodani, Inoshi Priyadarshani, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Shashikala Siriwardena, Rebeka Vandort, Sripali Weearakkody.

**South Africa:**Dane Van Niekerk (c), Chloe Tryon (vc), Trisha Chetty (wk), Mosaline Daniels, Mignon Du Preez, Yolani Fourie, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kaap, Masabata Klaas, Lizelle Lee (wk), Sune Luus, Zintle Mali, Robyn Searle, Tumi Sekhukhune, Laura Wolvaardt

**Bangladesh:**Salma Khatun (C), Rumana Ahmed (VC), Ayasha Rahman, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Nigar Sultana Joty (WK), Khadiza-Tul Kubra, Lata Mondol, Nahida Akter, Panna Ghosh, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana (WK), Sharmin Supta, Ritu Moni