All you need to know for the 2022 Women's ODI World Cup

When does it start?

On Friday! It has been a five-year wait since England won the 2017 title on home soil, but after a 12-month postponement due to COVID-19, the ODI World Cup will officially get underway when hosts New Zealand play West Indies in Tauranga on Friday.

Australia's first match is against England in Hamilton on Saturday.

There will be 31 games played over 31 days, culminating in the final at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on April 3.  

Click here for the full World Cup schedule

Where is it being played? 

The World Cup is being staged across six New Zealand cities: Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and Christchurch.

Wellington's Basin Reserve will host a series of group matches plus one semi-final, while Christchurch's Hagley Oval will host the second semi-final and the final.

What is the time difference like?

Very favourable for Australian fans. Matches start at either 11am or 2pm local time, which is 9am or 12pm AEDT in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Four of Australia's seven group games are 9am AEDT starts, and the other three are day-night affairs beginning at midday AEDT.

How can I watch?

Foxtel or Kayo Sports are the only places to watch the World Cup. The subscription services will broadcast every one of the tournament's matches exclusively in Australia and, in good news for fans, they will be available to watch free of charge via Kayo Freebies.

You can sign-up for Kayo here, starting with a 14-day free trial, which will also allow you to watch Australia's men play in Pakistan as well as a host of other bilateral men's series in what will be a feast of cricket in March.

Australia's anti-siphoning list – which is intended to ensure events of significant cultural interest are broadcast on free-to-air – does include Women's World Cup matches played in Australia and New Zealand, but no traditional free-to-air stations have purchased the rights. 

How many countries are taking part and how does it work?

A total of eight teams are in the tournament, with Bangladesh making their first appearance.

Hosts New Zealand qualified automatically, as did Australia, England, India and South Africa based on their success in the ICC Women's ODI Championship. West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh claimed their spots thanks to their ODI rankings when the World Cup qualifying event in Zimbabwe last December was cancelled partway through due to COVID-19.

The most notable omission is that of Sri Lanka, who failed to qualify after being part of the past six events.

Every team will play the other once during the round robin phase of the tournament. The top four teams will then progress to the semi-finals on March 30 and 31 ahead of the final on April 3.

Who are the favourites? 

Australia will go in as favourites to win their seventh title. They currently sit 40 points clear on top of the ICC's ODI rankings and have lost just two of the 30 one-dayers they have played since the last World Cup in 2017, a period that included their world record 26-match winning streak.

However, they will face stiff competition from defending champions England, hosts New Zealand, 2017 runners-up India and the world's second-ranked ODI side, South Africa.

ICC ODI rankings 

1) Australia, 2) South Africa, 3) England, 4) India, 5) New Zealand, 6) Bangladesh, 7) West Indies, 8) Pakistan 

What happened last time? 

In 2017, Heather Knight's England lifted the trophy at Lord's after defending a score of 7-228 to deny India their maiden title.

Australia were dumped from the tournament in the semi-finals after a remarkable 171no from Harmanpreet Kaur powered India into the final, while England advanced after a semi-final thriller against South Africa.

Anything else to know? 

Games could go ahead with just nine players in a team as organisers look to keep the tournament on track despite rising COVID-19 case numbers in New Zealand.

The ICC has confirmed that female members of a team's support staff will be permitted to field in a match in the case of a significant COVID outbreak, with games to proceed as long as a team has a minimum of nine players available.

Meanwhile, the winner will be awarded US$1.32 million (A$1.85m), while the total prize pool for the tournament is US$3.5m.

That's a big increase on the $2m at the 2017 event, but it is still $6.5m less than the $10m prize pool for the most recent men's tournament, in 2019. At that event in the United Kingdom, England won US$4m after being crowned champions, which is more than the total money on offer at the upcoming women's tournament.

How are the teams shaping up? 

Click here for the full rundown on each squad

Australia 

Squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne 

How they are tracking: Australia – particularly the bowlers – were dominant in their 3-0 win over England in the ODI portion of the Ashes and carried that form into their first warm-up against West Indies but the tournament favourites were soundly beaten by New Zealand in their second practice match.

Form line (most recent first): WWWLWWWWWW 

Who they are missing: Australia were hit hard by injury ahead of the tournament, with Tayla Vlaeminck (foot), Sophie Molineux (foot) and Georgia Wareham (ACL) all missing.

The 2017 result: Semi-finals

Best finish: Winners (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013) 

Bangladesh 

Squad: Nigar Sultana (c), Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Fargana Hoque, Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Sharmin Akther, Lata Mondol, Sobhana Mostary, Fariha Islam, Suraiya Azmim, Sanjida Akter 

How they are tracking: Appearing in the tournament is a significant step for Bangladesh, who have never played an ODI against Australia, England, New Zealand or West Indies.

Form line (most recent first): WWWWWLWLLL

The 2017 result: n/a

Best finish: n/a

England

Squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt. Travelling reserves: Lauren Bell, Mady Villiers

How they are tracking: England say they have 'parked' their 3-0 defeat to Australia in the Ashes ODIs, and hit back with warm-up wins over Bangladesh and South Africa. They came into the tournament uncertain about who would open alongside Tammy Beaumont but look set to stick with experienced campaigner Lauren Winfield-Hill.

Form line (most recent first): LLLWWLWWLW

Who they are missing: Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn is the notable absentee from England's World Cup squad, having made herself unavailable for the tournament due to bubble fatigue and quarantine restrictions.

The 2017 result: Winners

Best finish: Winners (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017) 

India  

Squad: Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur (vc), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav. Travelling reserves: Sabbhineni Meghana, Ekta Bisht, Simran Dil Bahadur 

How they are tracking: India looked out of sorts in their 4-1 ODI series against New Zealand last month but the return of Smriti Mandhana to the side after her late release from quarantine has lifted them. They remain uncertain of their best batting line-up, but the form of big guns Mandhana, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur is promising.

Form line (most recent first): WLLLLWLLWL

Who they are missing: Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey were two surprising omissions from India's 18-player touring party.

The 2017 result: Runners-up

Best finish: Runners-up (2005, 2017)

New Zealand

Squad: Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Frances Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

How they are tracking: The White Ferns are flying! They were dominant in their 4-1 series win over India and while they lost their first warm-up match to Pakistan, they hit back with a nine-wicket win over Australia. Leg-spinning allrounder Amelia Kerr has been promoted to No.3 in the order and the move is paying off, with her last five scores being 92no, 66, 68no, 67 and 119no.

Form line (most recent first): LWWWWLLWLL

Who they are missing: New Zealand lost Lauren Down to a broken thumb on the eve of the tournament and have replaced her with the uncapped Georgia Plimmer. Off-spinner Leigh Kasperek was a surprise omission from the squad.

The 2017 result: Fifth

Best finish: Winners (2000)

Pakistan

Squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Nida Dar (vc), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz. Travelling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi and Tuba Hassan

How they are tracking: Pakistan have welcomed back captain Bismah Maroof from maternity leave for their World Cup campaign, and will be buoyed by their first warm-up win over New Zealand, which was backed up by a tight victory over Bangladesh.

Form line (most recent first): WLLLLWWLLLL

The 2017 result: Eighth

Best finish: Fifth (2009)

South Africa

Squad: Suné Luus (c), Chloé Tryon (vc), Ayabonga Khaka, Lara Goodall, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Maria Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Tumi Sekhukhune. Travelling reserves: Andrie Steyn, Nadine de Klerk, Raisibe Ntozakhe

How they are tracking: It is hard to get a gauge on South Africa, who have only played West Indies in the last 12 months – one at home and once away – for six wins and two tied matches, with West Indies winning the super over on both occasions. Their World Cup campaign has started with warm-up defeats to India and England.

Form line (most recent first): WWLNRLWWWWW

Who they are missing: Captain Dane van Niekerk will miss the tournament having broken her ankle after slipping on a wet floor at her home in South Africa. The Proteas will dearly miss her leadership, batting and leg-spin, with Sune Luus filling in as skipper. Lizelle Lee was a late arrival after the birth of her first child but is set to be available in time for their first match.

The 2017 result: Semi-finals

Best finish: Semi-finalist (2000, 2017)

West Indies  

Squad: Stafanie Taylor (c), Anisa Mohammed (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams. Travelling reserves: Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru, Jannillea Glasgow

How they are tracking: West Indies are another team who are hard to read; they have some of the biggest names in world cricket in their squad but have struggled to make an impact in the one-day arena in recent years. In the past 12 months, they lost two ODI series to South Africa but swept Pakistan 3-0.

Form line (most recent first): LLWNRWWWWWL 

The 2017 result: Sixth

Best finish: Runners-up (2013) 

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: v England, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 12pm AEDT

Mar 8: v Pakistan, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12pm AEDT

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports