Commonwealth Games Cricket 2022: 3 teams that can win the Gold medal

A new chapter is about to open in Women’s cricket as they are set to feature in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in its history in 2022. The multi-sport tournament is going to feature cricket for only the second time after a hiatus of almost 24 years in Birmingham. Women’s cricket was part of the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014, with Pakistan winning the Gold on both occasions.

The historic tournament in Birmingham will commence on the 29th of July and will feature eight teams, divided into two groups of four. The ten-day long tournament will be played in the T20 format and will feature 16 matches, hosted by Edgbaston. Although it is expected to be a hotly contested affair with the Gold medal at stake, some teams are the favourites going into the tournament.

Here are three teams who can win the gold medal in the competition: 

1. Australia

The dominant force in Women’s cricket, Australia are at the summit of the rankings in all formats of the game and are one of the bookie’s favourites to clinch the gold at the quadrennial sporting event. Led by their enigmatic leader Meg Lanning, Australia got their hands on the seventh World Cup title earlier this year, defeating arch-rivals England in the final.

The Aussies are also the most successful T20I team in women’s cricket, with five World Cup titles to their name in seven editions of the tournament, a testament to their superiority. The reigning champions will face off against India in the opening fixture of the tournament.

Beth Mooney is the lynchpin in the batting order for the Women in Yellow alongside skipper Meg Lanning. The pair are the highest ranked T20I batters in the ICC rankings. The emergence of Ashleigh Gardner has been fruitful for them, who will be vying to make a mark in the tournament alongside the mercurial Ellyse Perry from the all-rounder contingent.

2. England

Australia’s nemesis and the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup winners England are arguably the biggest threat to the Kangaroos’ ambition of clinching the gold medal at this tournament. England and Australia are placed in different groups being the top-seeded sides and could potentially lock horns in the blockbuster finale, in a repeat of the 2022 ODI WC final.

The English camp has been hit by terrible news ahead of the tournament, as the 2017 WC-winning skipper Heather Knight is doubtful for the CWG 2022 after sustaining a hip injury in the ongoing series against South Africa.

They will be looking to redeem themselves by winning the gold medal after losing out on the WC title earlier this year. Knight’s deputy Nat Sciver has been in inspired form of late and is likely to lead the side if Knight misses out. Young bowling sensation Sophie Ecclestone will be accompanying veteran spearhead Katherine Brunt in the bowling department.

3. India

The Women in Blue are the dark horses for the momentous tournament at CWG 2022 and can throw in the spanner in the hopes and dreams of Australia and England. The fourth-ranked T20I team in the world is capable of turning over any side in the world on their day, and the opponents will be wary of their abilities.

Under the truculent leadership of star all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur, India have reinvigorated their hunger after a disappointing World Cup earlier this year. Mithali Raj’s retirement in June has left a massive void to fill for the Indian camp, but the emergence of youngsters like Harleen Deol bodes well for the team.

The onus will be on the eye-catching opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma along with accomplished all-rounder Deepti Sharma, while the bowling lineup will be relying upon Radha Yadav, who has been a constant threat with her left-arm spin.