Clash of Titans: England and South Africa Set to Ignite Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in Guwahati

Only Australia has won more Women’s Cricket World Cups than England. In 2017, England claimed the championship on home soil. They also reached the final in the last World Cup (you can probably guess against whom).

However, the English women aren’t considered the second favorites to win this World Cup; that title goes to the Indians.

While India has been making steady strides, England has had a year to forget so far, including suffering a whitewash in Australia. But if the warm-up matches are any indication of their form, England is performing well, having won all four, including matches against Australia, India, and New Zealand.

The current England team boasts some of the sport’s biggest names, coached by one of the most highly respected figures: Charlotte Edwards, who has led the Mumbai Indians to victory in two out of three editions of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

Edwards will be eager to see England start their campaign strongly against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.

She will likely be hoping that players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, the captain, who scored 120 before retiring out against India in a warm-up match in Bengaluru, along with Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Sophie Ecclestone, and Lauren Bell, will hit form from the start.

Edwards might draw on her experience in India both as a player and MI coach, as could some of the English players who have participated in the WPL.

South Africa also has players with WPL experience. Captain Laura Wolvaardt, known for her stunning cover drives, and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp are key players the Proteas will likely rely on. There’s additional experience in Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, and Ayabonga Khaka.

It’s worth noting that South Africa reached the semifinals of the last two ODI and T20I World Cups.

Published on Oct 02, 2025