The upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is the biggest of its kind to date, with 12 teams taking part.
Their paths to England have taken varying forms – here is a look at how they got there and the format which awaits them once action gets underway.
How they qualified
England qualified automatically as hosts, though the 2009 winners would also have made it by virtue of their world ranking.
Five teams – Australia, India, South Africa, the West Indies and reigning champions New Zealand – qualified through their performances at the most recent edition of the tournament in 2024, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan joining them through their world rankings.
That left four spots up for grabs at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier, which took place between 18 January and 1 February in Nepal.
Bangladesh remained unbeaten throughout to top the table in style and book their place at the main event, Sobhana Mostary picking up the Player of the Tournament prize after scoring 262 runs at 52.40.
They were joined by first-time qualifiers the Netherlands, who celebrated in style by sliding across the sodden covers after the 21-run (DLS) victory over the USA which sealed their progress.
Ireland and Scotland were the remaining two teams to come through the Qualifier. Captain Gaby Lewis led from the front for Ireland, scoring a competition-high 276 runs, while Arlene Kelly took 13 wickets, including four for seven in the victory over Thailand which secured Ireland’s qualification.
The ever-reliable Kathryn Bryce took 12 wickets for Scotland, who wrapped up their spot courtesy of a 41-run win over the USA.
This will be Ireland’s fifth appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, while Scotland return for a second time having made their debut two years ago.
What is the format?
The 12 nations are split into two groups of six.
Group 1 consists of Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa. Hosts England are in Group 2 alongside Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
Each team plays each of their group opponents once, with the top two in each group progressing to the semi-finals.
The first semi-final is on 30 June, with the second on 2 July. Both will take place at The Oval. The two victorious sides will advance to the final, which is at Lord’s on 5 July.
Warm-up matches prior to the tournament will be held at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, Derby County Ground and Loughborough University – home of the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre.
Opulent Gamer
When it was first mentioned in 1624, the cricket bat was not a bat but merely a stick, similar to the one used in hockey. In the 1770s after changes in the game’s laws, a swell was designed at the bottom. It was, however, very heavy. The oldest preserved cricket bat was made in 1729 and is kept in Oval’s Sandham Room in London.
Woodland Beauty
Abbas Ali Baig was the first Indian cricketer to be kissed during a Test match – When Abbas Ali Baig reached a half-century in the third Test match against Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in 1960, a pretty young girl ran all the way from the North Stand to greet the batsman. She kissed Baig on his cheek.