The Cricketer brings you all you need to know ahead of cricket’s return to the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 24 years, with the inaugural tournament for women set to take place in Birmingham this summer
The Cricketer brings to you all you need to know ahead of cricket's return to the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 24 years, with the inaugural tournament for women set to take place.
The Commonwealth Games, with the inclusion of women’s cricket.
The T20 tournament is due to begin on July 29 with Australia facing India, whilst Pakistan face Barbados.
The group phases are as follows:
August 6: Semi-finals
August 7: Bronze medal playoff and final
South Africa go into the Commonwealth with confidence having been victorious in their series against Ireland [Getty Images]
The eight qualifying sides are split into two groups where they will compete against each other in a round-robin event.
The top two sides from Group A will go on to play the top two from Group B, with the loser of each semi-final facing off for the bronze medal.
The winner of each semi-final will go on to play each other in the final, with the winners crowned Commonwealth Games champions and gold medalists.
Group A: Australia, Barbados, India, Pakistan
Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka
With the Commonwealth Games being hosted in Birmingham, all fixtures will take place at Edgbaston.
India will favour themselves having been runners-up in the WT20 in 2020 [Getty Images]
Friday, July 29: Australia v India, Pakistan v Barbados
Saturday, July 30: New Zealand v South Africa, England v Sri Lanka
Sunday, July 31: India v Pakistan, Australia v Barbados
Tuesday, August 2: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Sri Lanka
Wednesday, August 3: Australia v Pakistan, Barbados v India
Thursday, August 4: South Africa v Sri Lanka, New Zealand v England
With the most recent international T20 tournament having taken place in 2020, Australia are on paper the strongest side going into the tournament.
As hosts, England will fancy their chances, while India, New Zealand and South Africa all offer threats of their own.
Barbados, playing as the representative nation from the Caribbean, are the underdogs.
Tickets range from £8 to £22 for all group stage fixtures whilst playoff and final fixtures can go as high as £55.
Tickets can be purchased here.
In the UK, all fixtures can be followed live across BBC, with live action also available via BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, and red button.
The Cricketer will carry coverage on the entire tournament, including team-by-team previews, match reports and reaction across the 10-day event.
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