Michael Atherton, the former England captain who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports Cricket, believes that the England women's side possesses both the talent and the squad depth required to mount a serious challenge for the Women's T20 World Cup when it returns to England this summer. While the Lionesses have not lifted the T20 crown since they hosted the tournament in 2009, and they suffered early exits in the group stages of both the 2010 and 2024 editions, Atherton is confident that the combination of home advantage, a refreshed leadership group and a growing pool of quality players will put them back in contention.
The last time England won the T20 World Cup on home soil was in 2009, a triumph that still resonates with fans and players alike. Since then the team has endured a mixed record: a disappointing group‑stage exit in 2010, another early knock‑out in 2024, and a long‑standing drought of ICC titles across all formats since the senior side captured the 50‑over World Cup at home in 2017. Despite these setbacks, the upcoming 2026 tournament offers a fresh start.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards is set to reveal her final squad on Tuesday, and Atherton says the new group of players should be regarded as genuine contenders. "It was a long time ago, but the last time the tournament was held here England won it, so there is that natural home advantage," Atherton explained. "At the same time, playing at home brings added scrutiny and pressure, which inevitably raises the stakes." Atherton highlighted the transformation within the England camp: "England have terrific players.
They’re under new management, a new captain, and a new coach. Charlotte Edwards will have them well drilled, I have no doubt about that.
They have plenty of depth and a handful of world‑class performers, so they should be in the mix." He went on to note the increasingly competitive nature of the tournament. "It’s a hard tournament to call.
There are some very good teams and the standard across the board is improving all the time, so it’s getting more competitive. Obviously Australia will be a very tough side to beat, but England with home advantage and some good players should be in the shake‑up." When asked which England players could make the biggest impact, Atherton singled out captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt as the focal point. "The captain and the leader are a driving force, and Nat is one of the best players in the world," he said. "Opening bowler Lauren Bell will be crucial in English conditions – finding swing with the new ball is essential.
And a young talent like Devina Perrin, who impressed everyone with a brilliant century in The Hundred at the Oval, could step up and say, ‘This is my time.’" England’s own captain, Heather Knight, echoed the sentiment that the home World Cup is about more than just a trophy. She told Sky Sports that the team’s ambition is to "create a real legacy for women's cricket in this country," drawing inspiration from the recent successes of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby.
The Lionesses captured back‑to‑back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley, while the Red Roses won the Rugby World Cup at a packed Twickenham last September. Knight emphasized how the landscape of women’s sport has shifted dramatically since England’s 2017 World Cup victory.
"The focus now is women’s cricket at the World Cup, so it’s really exciting and not too far away. It’s a chance for us to do something special as a side," she said.
"Home support was huge for us in 2017 – the crowds built up and the final at Lord’s was super special. It’s a chance to have a real impact on the sport in our country and leave a legacy. If we do our job right and succeed this summer, we can leave a lasting imprint on women’s cricket in England." Knight also pointed to structural improvements in the domestic game that have made a professional pathway more visible for young women. "It took a little time for that success to translate into change, and the landscape is very different now.
The domestic structure is professional, it’s a lot more normal to be a women’s cricketer, and there’s far more visibility," she explained. "If we succeed, the structures are in place to maximise the moment. We’ve seen what the Lionesses and Red Roses have achieved, and we want to do something similar – inspire girls to see cricket as a normal and great option." In summary, Atherton’s assessment combines realistic acknowledgment of England’s recent struggles with optimism about the squad’s depth, the leadership of Sciver‑Brunt and Edwards, and the motivational boost of playing at home.
The team’s blend of experienced internationals, emerging talents like Perrin, and a supportive domestic framework could indeed give England a genuine shot at reclaiming the T20 World Cup and, more importantly, cementing a lasting legacy for women’s cricket across the nation.