According to Sky Sports Cricket's Michael Atherton, the English women's cricket team has the necessary talent and depth to challenge for the Women's T20 World Cup title on home soil this summer. The team has not won the T20 World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2009 and has faced a difficult period in recent years, including being knocked out in the group stage in 2024.
However, with a new management team, captain, and coach, Atherton believes they have a good chance of success. Head coach Charlotte Edwards is set to announce her squad for the 2026 tournament, and Atherton feels that with home advantage and a strong squad, England should be in the mix to win the title.
England has not won an ICC trophy in any format since 2017, when they won the 50-over World Cup at home. Atherton noted that the standard of women's cricket is improving all the time, making the tournament highly competitive, with teams like Australia being tough to beat.
He highlighted key players such as captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, opening bowler Lauren Bell, and young player Devina Perrin as ones to watch. Meanwhile, Heather Knight expressed England's ambition to create a legacy for women's cricket in the country, similar to the achievements of the Lionesses and Red Roses in their respective sports.
Knight emphasized the impact of home support and the chance for the team to leave a lasting legacy on the sport.