High Octane Expected from Generation Next

If the previous edition of this event is anything to go by, then lock yourself down for the next week and enjoy what will be one of the tournaments of the year.

The sheer joy and excitement from these youngsters representing their nations in a World Cup is unbridled and if last time is an indicator, then the rest of us will get caught up in that joy. Can’t help it.

On offer in this World Cup are sixteen teams – kudos to the ICC for getting the number right – some of whom we know, others for the first time. The teams have been divided into four pools:

• Pool A: India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, West Indies
• Pool B: England, Ireland, Pakistan, USA
• Pool C: New Zealand, Nigeria, Samoa, South Africa
• Pool D: Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Scotland

Teams will play each other once, with the top three teams of each pool progressing to the next round. Again, another progressive move by the ICC, getting as many of these teams into what amounts as two super sixes. Then it becomes a bit of a blur to be honest, with A1 v D2 etc. Will become a little easier to navigate as we get further into the tournament.

Pool A

India

Niki Prasad (c), Sanika Chalke (vc), Bhavika Ahire (wk), Ishawari Awasare, Kesari Drithi, G Kamalini (wk), Anandita Kishor, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shabnam Shakil, Aayushi Shukla, Parunika Sisodiya, Gongadi Trisha, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav

Malaysia

Nur Dania Syuhada (c), Nur Ain, Fatin Faqihah Adani. Nur Aliya, Nur Alya Batrisyia, Irdina Beh, Nur Isma Dania, Nuni Farini, Nuriman Hidayah, Nazatul Hidayah Husna, Suabika Manivannan, Siti Nazwah, Marsya Qistina, Nur Izzatul Syafiqa, Neserle Yean

Sri Lanka

Manudi Nanayakkara (c), Rashmika Sewwandi (vc), Vimoksha Balasooriya, Shashini Gimhani, Shehara Induwari, Sanjana Kavindi, Hiruni Kumari, Pramudi Methsara, Rashmi Nethranjali, Sumudu Nisansala, Chamudi Praboda, Dahami Sanethma, Aseni Thalagune, Danuli Thennakoon, Limansa Thilakaratne

West Indies

Samara Ramnath (c), Asabi Callender (vc), Abigail Bryce, Kenika Cassar, Jahzara Claxton, Denella Creese, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Erin Deane, Amiah Gilbert, Trisha Hardat, Brianna Harricharan, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, Kristen Sutherland, Aaliyah Weekes

Pool B

England

Abi Norgrove (c), Phoebe Brett, Olivia Brinsden, Matilda Corteen-Coleman, Trudy Johnson, Katie Jones (wk), Charlotte Lambert, Eve O’Neill
Davina Perrin, Jemima Spence (wk), Charlotte Stubbs, Amuruthaa Surenkumar, Prisha Thanawala, Erin Thomas, Grace Thompson

Ireland

Niamh MacNulty (c), Amy Hunter (c, wk), Freya Sargent (vc), Ally Boucher (wk), Abbi Harrison, Jennifer Jackson, Rebecca Lowe, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Julie McNally, Lucy Neely, Millie Spence, Annabel Squires, Alice Tector, Alice Walsh

Pakistan

Komal Khan (c, wk), Zoofishan Ayyaz (vc), Haniah Ahmer, Maham Anees, Areesha Ansari, Shahar Bano, Ravail Farhan, Wasifa Hussain, Tayyaba Imdad, Memoona Khalid, Fatima Khan, Minahil, Aleesa Mukhtiar, Quratulain, Mahnoor Zeb

United States

This is a very strong unit, a vast majority of who have played international cricket for the United States

Anika Kolan (c), Aditiba Chudasama (vc), Disha Dhingra, Nikhar Doshi, Pooja Ganesh, Saanvi Immadi, Maahi Madhavan, Chetna Pagydyala, Chetnaa Prasad, Pooja Shah, Lekha Shetty, Ritu Singh, Suhani Thadani, Isani Vaghela, Sasha Vallabhaneni

Skipper Anika Kolan is a keeper/batter who made her international debut in 2021. She’s played 23 T20Is and 7 ODIs. Isani Vaghela brings a similar level of international experience as does Disha Dhingra. That international experience will be invaluable for a tournament such as this.

Ones to watch: Suhani Thadani, a very accurate right-arm pace bowler with much promise. Keen to see the starts at the top of the order with Disha Dhingra and Anika Kolan.

Pool C

New Zealand

Tash Wakelin (c), Elizabeth Buchanan, Kate Chandler, Sophie Court, Hannah Francis, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal, Louisa Kotkamp, Ayaan Lambat, Emma McLeod, Hannah O’Connor, Darcy-Rose Prasad, Anika Tauwhare, Anika Todd, Eve Wolland

Nigeria

Lucky Piety (c), Akhigbe Anointed, Oguai Beauty, Chukwuonye Christabel, Bassey Deborah (wk), Umoh Inyene, Bieni Jessica, Amusa Kehinde, Ude Lilian, Memeh Naomi, Eguakun Omosigho, Usen Peace, Agboya Peculiar, Adekunle Shola, Igbinedion Victory

Samoa

Avetia Fetu Mapu (c), Verra Farane, Barbara Ella Keresoma, Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Selina Lilo, Jane Tali’ilagi Manase, Stefania Pauga, Apolonia K Polataivao, Silepea Polataivao, Stella Sagalala, Norah-Jade Salima, Katrina Uiese Taa Samu, Angel Sootaga So, Masina Tafea, Sala Viliamu

South Africa

Kayla Reyneke (c), Jemma Botha, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Mona-Lisa Legodi, Simoné Lourens, Karabo Meso (wk), Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Diara Ramlakan, Diedré van Rensburg, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter

Pool D

Australia

Lucy Hamilton (c), Chloe Ainsworth, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Caoimhe Bray, Ella Briscoe, Maggie Clark, Hasrat Gill, Amy Hunter, Sara Kennedy, Eleanor Larosa, Grace Lyons (wk), Ines McKeon, Juliette Morton, Kate Pelle (wk), Tegan Williamson

Bangladesh

Sumaiya Akter (c), Afia Ashima Era (vc), Fariya Akter, Sadia Akter, Fahomida Choya, Farjana Easmin, Mst Eva, Juairiya Ferdous, Habiba Islam, Sadia Islam, Lucky Khatun, Jannatul Maoua, Nishita Akter Nishi, Anisa Akter Soba, Sumaiya Akther Suborna

Nepal

Puja Mahato (c), Sony Pakhrin (vc), Trishna BK, Rachana Chaudhary, Sabitri Dhami, Krishma Gurung, Kusum Godar, Seemana KC, Anu Kadayat, Kiran Kunwar, Sneha Mahara, Jyotsnika Marasini, Sana Praveen, Riya Sharma, Alisha Yadav (wk)

Scotland

Amelie Baldie, Molly Barbour-Smith, Gabriella Fontenla, Lucy Forrester Smith, Pippa Kelly, Maisie Maceira, Kirsty McColl, Niamh Muir, Charlotte Nevard, Mollie Parker, Nayma Sheikh, Rosie Speedy, Pippa Sproul, Jenna Stanton, Emma Walsingham