World T20 preview: New Zealand

New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin

Fixtures: 9 November v November, 13 November v Australia, 15 November v Pakistan, 17 November v Ireland

Best result: Runners-up (2009, 2010)

ICC ranking: 2nd

The talking point: Perhaps the most surprising thing that happened in the lead-up to the tournament was when captain Suzie Bates stepped aside, handing the captaincy to Amy Satterthwaite. Satterthwaite herself was surprised at the development but has grasped the opportunity and will lead a squad packed with spin talent into the World T20. She'll have six spin-bowling options at her disposal, including herself, with coach Haidee Tiffen explaining her side was expecting conditions in the Caribbean to favour the slower bowlers. Joining Satterthwaite is 17-year-old leg-spinner Amelia Kerr and off-spinners Leigh Kasperek, Jess Watkin, Maddy Green and Anna Peterson.

The star: Bates gave up the captaincy to focus purely on her own game with bat and ball. She's already the world's top-ranked T20I batter, so that is an ominous sign for opposition bowling attacks! She's one of the most successful players ever to compete in the shortest form of the game and her experience at the top of the order will be crucial for a White Ferns' batting line-up with several less-experienced members, as will her skills with the ball.

The one to watch: Devastating allrounder Sophie Devine was a late arrival after staying back home in New Zealand to attend her sister's wedding, but she's now touched down on Caribbean soil and wants to waste no time catching up with her teammates who already have a couple of warm-ups under their belts. Combining in the top order with Bates, how Devine fares with the bat can be make-or-break for her team. Once she gets going, she's near impossible to stop, while her pace bowling is also a serious weapon.

The verdict: New Zealand have been one of the best T20I teams in the world in recent years, but it hasn't translated to success at these tournaments, with their last appearance in the final coming in 2010. They have some exception youngsters coming through the ranks including teenage leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, the sheer pace of Lea Tahuhu and the all-round skills of skipper Satterthwaite. But all too often, the problem for the White Ferns has been that if Bates and Devine fail with the bat, the less experienced members of the batting line-up haven't been able to back them up. If those players can start making regular significant contributions, it will go a long way to helping New Zealand break through for a maiden title.

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground