Despite finishing third in the tri-series involving Australia and India, England are strong contenders to challenge for the title as the Women's T20 World Cup gets underway in Australia. Led by Heather Knight, England pack a punch across departments and have one of the best sides heading into the World Cup. There's an overdose of talented players in the team and their chances might come down to how well they use what's available to them.
Squad
Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver, Lauren Winfield, Fran Wilson, Freya Davies, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Sarah Glenn, Georgia Elwiss, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone
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Strength
With Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt at the top and a wealth of experienced middle-order batswomen to follow, England have one of the best batting line-ups for the tournament. In Tammy Beaumont, they have a no.3 capable of doing the openers' job if required and the middle-order is packed with players of the quality of Knight and Fran Wilson.
The bowling has an all-round feel to it with Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn posing major threats in the spin department. Katherine Brunt remains a potent pace option while Freya Davies also offers recent form.
Weakness
England have a few question marks hanging over the head of seamer Anya Shrubsole. The key player seems indispensable to England but they seem unsure about how to use her.
In the batting line-up, they moved Beaumont around in the batting order to find the right balance but still seem uncertain about it. Their chances could hinge on how they use some of these exciting new players and waning, yet useful experienced players.
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Opportunity
Amy Jones impressed in the Big Bash season with 391 runs including three half-centuries for Perth Scorchers. She knows the conditions well having plied her trade in the WBBL just like her opening partner, Wyatt. For Melbourne Renegades, Wyatt slammed 468 runs at an average of 39, finishing as the seventh-highest run-scorer in the league.
Threat
A key part of England's line-up is Nat Sciver. The all-rounder missed the final warm-up game against Sri Lanka with a knee injury and although she has been touted to return before the first game England play, there are concerns surrounding her injury. The all-rounder is a vital member in England's plans for the T20 World Cup and has helped balance the team. She isn't regularly filling up her quota of overs which remains another concern given how the knee injury could further dampen her all-round qualities.
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Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Heatherknight55
