Mount Maunganui: The 12th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, which was postponed due to corona, begins today in New Zealand after one year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had planned to host the Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand in February 2021. But the corona spread was so intense in 2020 that the ICC postponed various series, including the 2020 Men’s T20 World Cup.
In August 2020, it was announced that the Women’s ODI World Cup would be postponed to March 2022. The 12th ICC Women’s World Cup kicks off today with the participation of eight nations, including defending champions England and India. The tournament will be held in 6 cities in New Zealand: Wellington, Auckland, Christ Church, Mount Maunganui, Dunedin, Hamilton. Each participating team must play the other team once in the league round. The teams that finish in the top 4 at the end of the league round advance to the semifinals.
League matches will end on March 27. The semifinals will be played on March 30 and 31 in Wellington and Christchurch. The final will be played on April 3 in Christchurch. The New Zealand-West Indies clash in the first match starting today at Mount Maunganui. Only 10 percent of fans are allowed because of corona restrictions. They too will be admitted to the arena after proper testing. India will face Pakistan in their first match tomorrow.
All the matches played by Indian women will start at 6.30 am Indian time. Some games played by other teams start at 3.30am.
Participating countries are India
India have played in 9 World Cups so far and have hosted 3 World Cups. None of them even won the trophy. However, in 2005 and 2017, it advanced to the final 2 times. Apart from this it has been ranked 3,4th 6 times. The Indian team led by Mithali Raj, who lost the trophy by just 9 runs last time, is planning to return home with the trophy this time. Because this is the last World Cup for senior players like Mithali and Julan.
Bangladesh
The Bangladesh women have just qualified for the World Cup for the first time.
England
Current champions England have played in all the World Cups so far. England have won the title 4 times. Together they have taken 2nd and 3rd place 3 times each.
New Zealand
The New Zealand team, which has won all the World Cups, has won the 2000 title on home soil. Apart from this he has advanced to the final 2 times. Also, 6 times ranked 3rd, 4th. Hoping to win the trophy again on home soil by hosting the tournament this time.
West Indies
The West Indies have played 6 times in the World Cup. Among them, the West Indies advanced to the final in 2013 and lost to Australia by 114 runs.
South Africa
The team has been playing in the World Cup since 1997. Out of the 6 World Cups played so far, South Africa have advanced to the semi-finals twice and the quarter-finals once.
Pakistan
Pakistan, who have played in 4 World Cups so far, finished 5th only once in 2009.
Australia
Like the men’s team, the Aussie women’s team has been unbeaten at the World Cup. Aussie has participated in 11 World Cups so far and has kissed the trophy 6 times. Also 2 times 2nd place, once 3rd place and 2 times 4th place. The Aussies are the team most likely to win the trophy this time around.
Ticket sales
Restrictions continue in New Zealand due to corona spread. A maximum of 100 people are allowed to watch the matches in the arena. The New Zealand Cricket Association had demanded that the government allow more fans. Now the New Zealand Ministry of Welfare has relaxed an existing rule and ordered 10 percent of fans to attend World Cup matches. So ticket sales for the first 7 games started on the heels of yesterday.
Game with 9 people
There are 15 players on each team. The tournament management also has a plan to temporarily play with 9 people instead of 11 on the team if multiple corona infections occur at the same time. They also want to allow new teams to add new replacements.
Not eligible
Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark, who have already played in several World Cups, did not qualify for the World Cup.
Participating in the first World Cup, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and several other countries, including Antigua, form the West Indies (West Indies).