Women's Under-19 World Cup wrap: Australia, India and South Africa get underway

The Cricketer reports on events at the ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa

The inaugural edition of the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup gets underway in South Africa on Saturday, January 14.

Sixteen teams are taking part in the 2023 edition, split across four groups of four. Following a single round-robin, the top three teams in each group will progress into the Super 6 stage, from which the top two sides in Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals.

The final will take place in Potchefstroom on Sunday, January 29.

^{Ella Hayward is one of several Australia players with WBBL experience [Steve Bell/Getty Images]}

Australia v Bangladesh (Benoni - 10am local time/8am GMT)

If you're a fan of the WBBL, Sarah Aley's Australia squad is brimming with familiar faces, in particular bowling quartet Ella Hayward, Jade Allen, Amy Smith and Rhys McKenna. Smith and Hayward were particularly impressive in 2022, taking five and six wickets, respectively. Smith also maintained a sub-six economy.

However, Bangladesh have been identified as the dark horses of Group A and have no fewer than three senior internationals in their side (Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter and Rabeya Khatun). Captain Disha Biswas, meanwhile, toured New Zealand with the senior squad in December.

In the warm-up matches, Australia lost to India by 18 runs and beat South Africa by eight wickets while Bangaldesh beat India (three runs) and South Africa (seven runs).

Sri Lanka v USA (Benoni - 1.45pm local time/11.45am GMT)

Sri Lanka captain, Vishmi Gunaratne, may feel a lot of responsibility as the only capped player in her squad – she has played nine T20Is for Sri Lanka and featured at the Commonwealth Games.

However, a number of players stepped up in the warm-up victories over the UAE and Scotland, including Nethmi Senarathne, who scored a half-century against the former, and Dewmi Vihanga, who picked up seven wickets across both matches.

USA, led by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, are not short on experience, with many of their players involved at senior level. Captain Geetika Kodali, Isani Vaghela and Snigdha Paul have also been involved in the Women's CPL.

Picture perfect 📸

All the Women's #U19T20WorldCup captains in one frame 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ngMjiyxcbw

— ICC (@ICC) January 12, 2023

United Arab Emirates v Scotland (Benoni - 10am local time/8am GMT)

UAE came through the Asia qualifiers without skipping a beat and have plenty of reasons for optimism. Theertha Satish scored 658 T20I runs at a strike rate of 111.52, including five half-centuries, in 2022 (the third-most in women's T20Is) while Vaishnave Mahesh picked up 29 wickets in 27 matches. Add in skipper Mahika Gaur and it's a squad with a lot of experience.

Scotland, meanwhile, are making history as the first women's team from the country to compete at a World Cup. Captain Katherine Fraser, an economical bowling option, and powder keg opener Darcy Carter – who struck 41 off 27 in a warm-up match against USA – stick out as players to watch.

South Africa v India (Benoni - 1.45pm local time/11.45am GMT)

India are a highly experienced and well oiled machine, with Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh among the leading lights. Verma has scored over 1,200 runs in 51 T20I appearances as well as gaining overseas experience in the WBBL and The Hundred while wicketkeeper Ghosh has 30 T20I caps and a strike rate in excess of 130. A three-run defeat against Bangladesh on Wednesday, however, proves even they are not invincible.

As for the hosts, they head into the tournament under a bit of a cloud after losing all four of their T20s against India earlier in January. Batting was an issue for South Africa – they were skittled for under 65 twice – but Kayla Reyneke and Seshnie Naidu both impressed with the ball. They also lost both of their official warm-up matches (against Australia and Bangladesh).

Coverage

Every group match will be available to watch via icc.tv while viewers in the UK will be able to watch the semi-finals and final on Sky Sports.