Women’s World Cup captains are ready to give their best and make it happen

By K.R. Nayar
From Dubai International Stadium 

 

It is generally believed that when a woman sets her mind on something, she will make it happen. This sentiment was evident in the tone of all the ICC Women’s World Cup 2024 captains during Captains' Day at the Dubai International Stadium. Each of them conveyed a strong determination to succeed. Their goal is to win the World Cup, and their motto is to give their best.

 

All the captains with the World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium. Photo: ICC 

What stands out in each captain's comments is their readiness to accept the challenge. Women are known for their practical approach, and these captains exemplified this through their willingness to learn and adapt. 

Australian skipper Alyssa Healy. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Starting with Australian skipper Alyssa Healy, whose team has lifted the World Cup six out of the eight times, there’s an understanding that winning again will be a challenge. Healy remarked, "There are 10 teams sitting on the stage here today that deserve to be here and have a real shot of winning this World Cup." She continued, "You don't come here to defend a title; that's not what a World Cup is about. You come here to win it, so we're here with that approach, and I'm excited to get underway." This statement underscores her intent to make it happen.

 

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana. Photo by K.R. Nayar  

Bangladesh, the tournament's host, was unable to stage the event at home due to unforeseen circumstances, but their captain is determined to win the cup for their fans. Although their supporters will miss watching the matches live, which will take place in Dubai and Sharjah, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said, "Yeah, (shifting the event from Bangladesh) was pretty disappointing initially. But the thing is, we're very professional. Now we are here, and we are going to play, and we are fortunate to do something that will help all the fans and families get cheered."

 

South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt. Photo by K.R.  Nayar 

Women understand that anxiety achieves nothing, and South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt knows this well. After her team’s loss to Australia in last year’s final, she has arrived with a plan. "Last year was great, but we're just looking to take it one game at a time. Obviously, it's a very difficult pool, but hopefully, we can make the semi-finals, and then anything can happen from there."

 

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur emphasised the importance of continual learning. She explained, "I think that is something we keep learning every day. When you win, sometimes you feel you've achieved something, but the next day you may make small mistakes. I think that's part of the game, and learning is something that never stops. Every day is a learning day. I'm happy with how our team is working hard to achieve small, incremental goals."

 

Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Execution of lessons learned requires courage, and that’s the attitude of Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana. She stated, "I will try to enjoy myself, express myself, and back myself as captain. Our whole management supports me and has encouraged me to make brave decisions on the field, so I'll stay calm and do whatever feels right."

 

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Preparation alone is not enough; knowing the importance of the World Cup is vital. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews captured this sentiment: "You play all year long preparing, and this is the pinnacle of where you want to be as a team. Every series you play, every training session you have is aimed at the World Cup. It’s a long process, and I hope we find success."

 

Scotland  captain Captain Kathryn Bryce. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

For Scotland, a team that came through qualification, every achievement adds to their glory. Captain Kathryn Bryce shared, "We just really want to compete in this competition. We've played fantastic cricket in the qualifiers, and we want to go out there, do ourselves justice, and put in good performances."

 

England skipper Heather Knight. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Leading from the front is crucial, and England skipper Heather Knight knows that captaincy is a constant challenge. "I think captaincy is always a constant challenge. You don't need freshness as a captain because you're always being challenged in different ways. You try to learn tricks and grow with every experience."

 

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine. Photo  by K.R. Nayar 

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine highlighted the importance of adapting to the evolving game. "The development in women's cricket has been significant, particularly off the field. Bowlers are now reaching speeds of 120 km/h and beyond, which makes it exciting. This shows how the game continues to grow."

 

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu offered a refreshing perspective, emphasizing simplicity. "We come in as underdogs, so we don't have any pressure. I don't want to burden myself or my teammates. We have a young team with a few seniors, and we've been playing good cricket for the last 16 months. This is a different format, so we have to start fresh. Keep it simple—one ball at a time, one game at a time."

 

Bangladesh, playing in the opener, is eager for fan support. "I'm expecting a lot of spectators because there are many Bangladeshis in Sharjah. I think more people will come out to watch and support us," Sultana said.

 

Watching these determined women will be a treat for the fans. The official event song for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is titled "Whatever It Takes," and for fans, whatever be, it will be worth watching these women make it happen.