The England Women’s cricket team heads into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 as one of the favourites. England have a distinct legacy in the tournament’s history and therefore expectations are riding high.
The England squad has a blend of experience and emerging talent. As former world champions with four titles under their belt (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017), they are always among the top contenders. Apart from being 4-time winners, they are also 4-time runners-up. They were beaten in the final at the 2022 World Cup by Australia.
England’s performance tournament wise:
1973: 1st
1978: 2nd
1982: 2nd
1988: 2nd
1993: 1st
1997: SF
2000: 5th
2005: SF
2009: 1st
2013: 3rd
2017: 1st
2022: 2nd
With the tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka, England will be demanding tactical flexibility from themselves, knowing spin can be a massive factor.
“That’s a blueprint that we work with, especially when we’re bowling, making sure the spinners in the middle are doing a really good job for us and making it really hard for people to get away. I think that has been a really good strength of ours for a number of years. We’ve got a brilliant spin attack,” England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt said in a pre-match press conference.
England squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell, Em Arlott, Sarah Glenn, Alice Capsey, Emma Lamb.
England open their World Cup campaign on October 3 versus South Africa.
Strengths of the England Women’s cricket team
England boast a solid batting order filled with match-winners and experienced campaigners.
Players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Tammy Beaumont, and Heather Knight bring both class and composure to the middle.
Sciver-Brunt, in particular, has been one of the world’s most consistent all-rounders in recent years, capable of anchoring innings or accelerating when needed. With 4092 WODI runs, the England skipper boasts pedigree. She has 25 fifties and 9 tons. In 18 World Cup games, Sciver-Brunt has 805 runs at 57-plus (50s: 2, 100s: 4). With the ball, she has 79 WODI wickets.
Beaumont owns over 4500 runs in WODIs at an average of 41.16. She owns 12 centuries and 23 fifties. 687 of her WODI runs have come at the World Cup at 38.16 from 18 games.
Meanwhile, Knight owns 656 World Cup runs from 25 matches at 34.52. Overall, she has scored 4037 runs with 26 fifties and 2 tons.
With dynamic options like Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey coming through the ranks, England’s batting is versatile and deep.
Dunkley has played 9 World Cup matches, scoring 291 runs at 36.37. Overall in WODIs, she has 981 runs from 40 matches. She is 19 shy of 1000 WODI runs.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge is solid and owns over 2000 runs at 23.42 with 5 fifties and 2 tons. At the World Cup, she has 470 runs from 21 matches at 27.64. With the ball, she owns 7 WC wickets at 18. Overall, she has 27 wickets.
Meanwhile, Capsey is a decent all-rounder She owns 12 WODI wickets at 23.58 from 26 matches. With the bat, she has 343 runs from 20 innings.
Playing in India means spin will play a pivotal role, and England are well-equipped in this department. They have frontline spinners and spin-bowling all-rounders in the mix.
Ecclestone is widely regarded as the best left-arm spinner in the women’s game, and her control and variations can be decisive. The veteran spinner has grabbed 125 wickets from 75 matches at 19.79. At the Women’s World Cup, she has 21 wickets from 9 matches.
Ecclestone is well-supported by the likes of Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean, providing variety in line and trajectory. Dean owns 76 WODI wickets. Glenn has picked 23 wickets from 18 matches.
Then there is Emma Lamb as well. She can roll in a few overs if needed. She is a sound batter.
This gives England the flexibility to adapt their bowling attack according to pitch conditions and opposition strengths.
Sciver-Brunt can prove to be a sound skipper. She is also well supported by senior players like Knight and Wyatt, the team. The England team also carries plenty of international experience and past World Cup knowledge. Several of the squad members have played in high-pressure knockout matches, including finals. This knowledge and experience can prove to be decisive.
England’s squad includes several players who can contribute in multiple roles. All-rounders like Capsey and Sciver-Brunt give the team the ability to play an extra batter or bowler without compromising balance. Their depth allows for more tactical freedom, especially in adapting to different playing conditions across Indian venues.
In pace, Lauren Bell is a leader of the attack. The pacer has taken 38 wickets from 24 WODIs to date.
Weaknesses of the England women’s cricket team
As mentioned, England are an experienced unit. However, England can sometimes appear overly dependent on a handful of key players—particularly in the batting department like Sciver-Brunt, Knight and Beaumont. If their mega stars have a rare off day, it can expose the middle and lower order, especially under scoreboard pressure.
Although England possess a competent pace attack, they lack a standout seamer. Players like Bell and Kate Cross have shown promise, however, the pace unit hasn’t always been as effective on subcontinental pitches. If the seamers fail to strike early, the team may struggle to control scoring.
Several of England’s inexperienced players lack the cutting edge in the sub-continent. This is one area which needs addressing if they are required to be called upon.
Predicted starting XI of England
Amy Jones (wk), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Em Arlott, Lauren Bell.
Players to watch out for
Nat Sciver-Brunt: The star attraction of this England side is Sciver-Brunt. Her exploits will be of massive help. She can set the tone with her big presence and responsibility. She is a glue in this batting department and can help her side in posting strong totals.
England will challenge for the title
The England women’s cricket team enters the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 as genuine contenders. Their blend of seasoned professionals and rising stars, combined with a spin attack well-suited to Indian conditions, makes them a dangerous side. However, issues around consistency, pace bowling, and over-dependence on senior figures must be addressed if they are to lift the trophy again.
Schedule of England in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Oct 3: England vs South Africa, Guwahati (3:00 pm IST)
Oct 7: England vs Bangladesh, Guwahati (3:00 pm IST)
Oct 11: Sri Lanka vs England, Colombo (3:00 pm IST)
Oct 15: England vs Pakistan, Colombo (3:00 pm IST)
Oct 19: India vs England, Indore (3:00 pm IST)
Oct 22: Australia vs England, Indore (3:00 pm IST)
Oct 26: England vs New Zealand, Vizag (11:00 am IST)
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