Since the first edition of women’s ICC Twenty20 in 2009, only England, New Zealand and Australia have made the finals with Australia winning the last three editions.
However, the captains of South Africa and West Indies feel this year some other team can break the dominance of the top three.
South Africa captain Mignon du Preez said, “In the last few years all teams have started to beat each other and the gap is definitely closing.
“In the T20 format anything can happen. Last time we got to the semis but had a bit of a stage fright. (This time) we have had good preparations playing against the West Indies and England just before this (tournament).
“So, we are ready to take it all the way to the top.”
West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor added, “I think for WI, we have been in the semifinals three times so it is just across the barrier.
“We have been playing some good cricket and the team has been improving. It is going to be really competitive.”
Australia is coming into the tournament on the back of two series defeats against New Zealand and India, but skipper Meg Lanning, who was adjudged the ICC ODI Player-of-the-Year in 2015, was unfazed by her team’s recent form.
Gunning for the team’s fourth straight title Lanning said, “Other teams winning do not impact us.
“The way things turn up we will attack in the first game itself and play good cricket.”
However, the captains of South Africa and West Indies feel this year some other team can break the dominance of the top three.
South Africa captain Mignon du Preez said, “In the last few years all teams have started to beat each other and the gap is definitely closing.
“In the T20 format anything can happen. Last time we got to the semis but had a bit of a stage fright. (This time) we have had good preparations playing against the West Indies and England just before this (tournament).
“So, we are ready to take it all the way to the top.”
West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor added, “I think for WI, we have been in the semifinals three times so it is just across the barrier.
“We have been playing some good cricket and the team has been improving. It is going to be really competitive.”
Australia is coming into the tournament on the back of two series defeats against New Zealand and India, but skipper Meg Lanning, who was adjudged the ICC ODI Player-of-the-Year in 2015, was unfazed by her team’s recent form.
Gunning for the team’s fourth straight title Lanning said, “Other teams winning do not impact us.
“The way things turn up we will attack in the first game itself and play good cricket.”
