Windies opener Hayley Matthews can take apart any bowling attack on her day.
The role of an opener is crucial in T20 cricket, setting the tone for the innings with aggressive play, while also anchoring the team through challenging periods. The Women’s T20 World Cup will see some of the finest openers in the game take center stage, looking to give their teams strong starts. Beth Mooney, Hayley Matthews, Smriti Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt, and Tazmin Brits stand out as some of the top openers in women’s cricket. Their ability to balance aggression with consistency makes them invaluable to their teams.
Beth Mooney is regarded as one of the most dependable and adaptable openers in women’s T20 cricket. She is known for her composed approach at the top of the order, allowing her to accumulate runs quickly without taking unnecessary risks. Mooney’s ability to play both aggressive and measured innings, depending on the match situation, makes her a key player for Australia.
Her versatility allows her to play comfortably on different surfaces, adjusting her game accordingly. Whether facing pace or spin, Mooney’s shot selection and calm demeanour enable her to handle challenging bowling attacks with ease. As Australia enters the Women’s T20 World Cup as one of the favourites, Mooney’s role at the top will be crucial in setting up strong foundations for her team.
Beth Mooney is regarded as one of the most dependable and adaptable openers in women’s T20 cricket // Picture Courtesy — India Today
Hayley Matthews has established herself as a game-changer for the West Indies, often playing explosive innings at the top of the order. Known for her aggressive stroke play, Matthews can take apart any bowling attack on her day. Her ability to dominate in the powerplay, utilizing the field restrictions to her advantage, makes her one of the most feared openers in the game.
What sets Matthews apart is her ability to shift gears. While she is known for her attacking mindset, she can also anchor the innings if needed. Matthews’ ability to bat through difficult phases and then accelerate when necessary has made her an essential part of the West Indies’ T20 squad. Heading into the T20 World Cup, she will be a player to watch, capable of turning games around with her aggressive starts.
Smriti Mandhana is one of the most elegant and consistent openers in women’s cricket. Her ability to play fluent strokes around the ground has made her a key player for India. Mandhana is particularly dangerous when she gets going in the powerplay, where she can score freely, setting the tone for India’s innings with her natural timing and aggression.
Mandhana’s calm approach allows her to handle pressure well, and she often plays a pivotal role in building strong partnerships at the top of the order. Her left-handed stance adds variety to India’s batting lineup, and her ability to attack from the start makes her a key player in T20 cricket. As India looks to make an impact in the Women’s T20 World Cup, Mandhana will be central to their chances of putting up competitive scores.
Laura Wolvaardt is known for her textbook style of batting, combining technical excellence with an aggressive approach. As one of South Africa’s most reliable openers, Wolvaardt brings balance to the team by providing steady starts while maintaining a healthy strike rate. Her ability to find gaps and rotate the strike, while also hitting boundaries when required, makes her a difficult batter to bowl to.
Wolvaardt’s game awareness allows her to adapt to different match situations, making her effective in both chasing and setting targets. Her ability to play long innings and build partnerships with her teammates has made her a key figure for South Africa. In the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, Wolvaardt’s role as an opener will be crucial in helping South Africa compete at the highest level.
Laura Wolvaardt is known for her textbook style of batting // Picture Courtesy — Cricmate
Tazmin Brits has emerged as an exciting prospect for South Africa, bringing both power and consistency to the top of the order. Known for her aggressive style of play, Brits is capable of dominating bowlers early in the innings, especially during the powerplay. Her strong shot selection and ability to clear the boundary make her a dangerous batter in T20 cricket.
Brits’ fearless approach often puts the opposition under pressure right from the start, and her ability to find boundaries regularly adds a dynamic edge to South Africa’s batting lineup. As South Africa prepares for the Women’s T20 World Cup, Brits will be a key player, tasked with providing quick starts and helping set up large totals.
