For the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, all eight teams have selected squads which are a mix of experience and youth.
For the young players, this is a great opportunity to perform at the biggest stage in world cricket. In this article, we take a look at the 10 youngest players at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.
10. Ailsa Lister (20) | Scotland
Scotland’s back-up wicketkeeper Ailsa Lister is also one of the youngest players in this year’s Women’s T20I World Cup. She made her debut for Scotland in October last year against Ireland.
Lister is a right-handed batter who has performed consistently for her country in T20Is whenever given the opportunity. Since Sarah Bryce is the first-choice keeper and one of the best players in the Scotland side, Lister hasn’t featured much for the national team. She also plays for North West Thunder in England’s Domestic T20 League.
9. Isabella Gaze (20) | New Zealand
Part of the White Ferns squad for this World Cup, Izzy Gaze is a Dutch-born New Zealand wicketkeeper and right-handed batter. She was handed a central contract by the New Zealand board after their previous keeper Katey Martin decided to retire after the 2022 World Cup.
Gaze made her debut for New Zealand in a T20I at 18 years of age and is now a regular part of the Kiwi team as their first-choice keeper, playing lower down the batting order.
8. Alice Capsey (20) | England
England’s top-order right-handed batter Alice Capsey also makes the cut here. Known for her explosive and aggressive batting style which has seen her play in many a T20 league around the world, Capsey made her England debut in ODIs at the age of 18 in September 2022 and has since become a regular part of the England T20I setup.
Capsey can provide great starts with the bat and also act as a handy off-break bowler, grabbing important wickets at crucial times.
Also read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Sponsors
7. Zaida James (19) | West Indies
West Indies all-rounder Zaida James is a left-handed batter and a slow left-arm orthodox spinner. She made her debut for the West Indies in June 2023 against Ireland.
James also plays for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League. She has played in 15 T20Is for the Windies so far and could be a very handy all-round option for her side in this World Cup.
6. Katherine Fraser (19) | Scotland
19-year-old Scottish all-rounder Katherine Fraser is already a mainstay in the Scotland first team. She captained Scotland at the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January last year.
Fraser made her senior Scotland debut in 2019 against Germany. So far, she has played 37 T20Is for Scotland and can perform with both bat and ball. She is a handy lower-order batter and bowls right-arm off break.
5. Darcey Carter (19) | Scotland
Darcey Carter is yet another talented cricketer from Scotland who has gathered praise in a short span of time. She is a versatile player who can help her side with both bat and ball.
Carter is a right-handed batter and an off-break bowler. She made her T20I debut for Scotland against Thailand in July 2023 and since then has been a consistent performer for her country. Experts have praised Carter’s ability to perform under pressure and produce vital performances in critical games. She is definitely going to be a mainstay for the Scottish women’s team in years to come.
4. Vishmi Gunaratne (19) | Sri Lanka
Vishmi Gunaratne has been very impressive for Sri Lanka so far. She made her T20I debut for Sri Lanka against Scotland in January 2022 at the age of 16. Since then, she has managed to score at a consistent rate and made herself a staple in the Sri Lanka setup.
A right-handed opening batter, Gunaratne is known for her consistency. Despite her age, she has showcased composure and maturity beyond her years in tough situations. She’s a very promising young batter for Sri Lanka who could go on to have a very successful International career.
3. Seshnie Naidu (18) | South Africa
South African all-rounder Seshnie Naidu is a right-handed batter and leg-break bowler. She made her T20I debut for South Africa recently in September against Pakistan.
Naidu is a decent lower-order batter and a handy leg-break option. With a dearth of leg-spin bowlers in women’s cricket, she is quite a find for the Proteas and, given the chance, could prove to be a handful on the spin-friendly tracks of Sharjah and Dubai.
2. Shorna Akter (17) | Bangladesh
Bangladeshi all-rounder Shorna Akter has impressed cricket fans with her abilities with both bat and ball. Akter is a right-handed batter and leg-break bowler. She made her debut for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in February earlier this year.
Akter is an energetic youngster who can adapt to situations very quickly. Not only has she been impressive with her leg-spin, she has also been remarkable with the bat in her nascent career. Akter will be crucial to Bangladesh in this World Cup on the slow and spinning tracks of Dubai and Sharjah.
1. Shashini Gimhani (15) | Sri Lanka
The youngest player to be part of this edition of the Women’s World Cup is the 15-year-old Shashini Gimhani of Sri Lanka. She is a right-handed batter and a left-arm wrist spinner, which is a very unique combination.
Gimhani made her debut for Sri Lanka in a T20I against Uganda in May earlier this year. She is a mystery spinner, born in the same year Ajantha Mendis made his debut for Sri Lanka.
Even though she has only played five T20Is for Sri Lanka thus far, the management has shown faith in her abilities. This World Cup could be the golden chance for the 15-year-old to perform at the biggest stage in front of the whole world.
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