2026 Women’s T20 World Cup pundit predictions: How far will England go, who will be their star players and which other nations could spring a surprise? | cricket news

Who will win the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup? How will England fare? And who will finish as the leading wicket taker and highest run scorer?

we asked Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Mark Butcher and Tash Farrant are all this and more as they give their tournament predictions ahead of the opening game.

Watch Women’s T20 World Cup Opening Match – England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston – Live Cricket on Sky Sports From 6pm on Friday (first ball at 6.30pm).

What do you expect from England?

Farent: I don’t think they are at the stage to win the tournament. But I expect them to top their group and at least reach the semi-finals.

Butcher: I expect England to be very competitive.

The group they find themselves in is very favorable when you consider that Australia, India and South Africa are all in the opposite group.

My feeling is they will play either Australia or India in the semi-finals, where all bets are off.

Atherton: I expect them to make it to the semi-finals, but I’m not confident they’ll go any further.

Hussain: I see England getting knocked out of their group, which you could argue is the weaker of the two – even though it does have New Zealand.

England have beaten them, and other teams at the same level, with regularity in bilateral series, but it is in the big tournaments, when it really matters, that they have recently found themselves sloppy.

Who is the most important player in England?

Atherton: Nat Sciver-Brunt. Obviously, he is very important as captain and England’s leading batsman. His fitness is a real concern, having only recently returned to the team.

Hussain: Nat Syver-Brant. He may not bowl, especially early in the tournament, but as a batsman he is absolutely world class.

He is such a consistent player, rarely does he go through a lean patch. I see him having a huge impact, and if England are going to win it, he’s going to have a good tournament.

Butcher: It’s hard to look past the obvious name Nat Silver-Brant And Sophie Ecclestone.

Linsey Smith also has an incredible record in T20 cricket, especially in the powerplay, and I think Charlie Dean is a brilliant all-round cricketer.

They have plenty of players who can win T20 matches on their own.

Farent: I’m going to go down a different route. it is Freya Kemp And Danny Gibsonfor me

We know what Nat Syver-Brant can do but finally, England have got some more all-rounders between these two and I think their addition could make the biggest difference.

Who can win the tournament?

Atherton: It’s hard to look beyond Australia, India And South Africa…though only two of them could progress from Group A.

Hussain: Australia. Since I have been covering women’s cricket, they are the best team – and arguably one of the best sports teams in the world.

They’ve got a new captain in Sophie Molyneux, so she’ll be under a bit of pressure, but they’re still a very, very strong side.

They have missed out on the last two world events, so they will be keen to put it right.

Farent: I’m going to stick my neck out and go for it South Africa.

They are slight underdogs as they are in a tough group, but I think they probably have the potential to pip India to the semi-finals.

They have reached the finals of the last two T20 World Cups, as well as the 50-over final just gone. I just have a feeling this is their time.

Butcher: I think four teams are capable of winning it: England, Australia, India, South Africa. You struggle to see past them.

Which race(s) could spring a surprise?

Farent: i think Scotland England could produce a few upsets in the group – though probably not against England.

They have quite a few players who play our home style, so it’s almost like a home World Cup for them.

Butcher: New Zealand surprised everyone by winning last time. But I probably want to look Sri Lanka This time out.

They can be a very dangerous aspect. Chamari Atapattu, in particular, has the ability to win games by himself. They can reach the last four.

Hussain: Sri Lanka beat England in a bilateral series last year, and Pakistan are also capable of surprises – they are really improving under their captain Fatima Sana.

Unfortunately for them, they’re in a tough group, so I’m going to pick West Indies. They knocked out England in the last T20 World Cup in Dubai… They have Diandra Dottin back, and Hayley Matthews is a top player.

Leading run-scorer and wicket-taker

Atherton: Laura Wolfard My choice for leading run-scorer. The South African batsman is an exceptional player and a consistent run scorer.

England pacer Lauren Bell Has been in great form and has got wickets at both ends of the innings, the new ball and the death.

Hussain: Annabelle Sutherland deserves a mention, but I’m going to go along Lauren Bell As a wicket-taker, though, it’s hard to look beyond Beth Mooney at the top of the order for Australia for the leading run-scorer. He has been so consistent over the years in this format

Farent: I’m going to go along Lynsey Smith As the leading wicket taker and highest run scorer, Phoebe Litchfield.

I also think Alice Capsey will have a really strong tournament. He’s played for England for a number of years now, but I think it’s about time he really put a marker down. We all know his potential, but it’s time to show us what he can really do on the big stage.

Player of the tournament

Butcher: There are so many great individual players out there.

To name a few, there are West Indies’ Hayley Mathews, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, a great player, and India’s Smriti Mandhana and Jemima Rodrigues.

But I’m going along Sophie Ecclestone. I think this is going to be his tournament, and England have a great chance if he goes well.

Atherton: I am going to go to New Zealand Amelia Kerr. All-round excellence and has been in great form since taking over the captaincy of the White Ferns.

What will happen to women’s cricket in this country if England wins?

Farent: It is difficult to understand what it can do.

England winning the tournament will create household names, icons, such as Lionesses like Rugby World Cup winners Ellie Kildune and Chloe Kelly.

Hussain: I think what has happened in women’s cricket is unstoppable.

To win for England – especially the World Cup at the same time – I think it will reinforce to any young woman and girl growing up that cricket is now a serious career opportunity.

Butcher: The landscape of women’s cricket has changed beyond all recognition since England won the 50-over World Cup in 2017.

The game is much more prominent in the public eye than it was then. It would be no less of an achievement if they could do it again.

Atherton: An England win will accelerate the growth of the game. There have only been two previous Women’s World Cups in England – and in both there was a victory for the home side, with the second in 2017 in particular having a transformative effect. This will do the same.

Everyone can stream the 12 group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland as well as the semi-finals and final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Live for free on the Sky Sports app.

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Watch every ball of the Women’s T20 World Cup live exclusively on Sky Sports and now June 12-July 5. Sri Lanka v England at Edgbaston on the opening night (6.30pm start).