ICC Women's WT20:

England are favourites

Under the shadow of their male counterparts, the women cricketers will strive to steal eyeballs when the Women World Twenty20 begins here on Thursday.

St Kitts is the venue for all 12 group-stage games and the semifinals and finals for men and women will be played on the same day at the same venues like the last year.

Hosts West Indies face South Africa in the opening match while India play New Zealand on Thursday.

Ahead of the tournament, India lost their first warm-up match against defending champions England but fought hard to pull off a win against South Africa.

India have a few big hitters in the team with their key batsman Mithali Raj showing form in the warm-up matches. But India, which did not have a good run in the first two editions, will have to stretch themselves against the top teams.

England, with their strong batting line-up, are the favourites with clinical wins against India and Sri Lanka in the warm up games.

England, led by Charlotte Edwards, will begin their campaign against Australia in the second match on Wednesday and are boosted by the return of their star batter Claire Taylor, who was player of the tournament in the last edition. Australia, on the other hand, are fielding a relatively inexperienced side. In the absence of injured captain Jodie Fields, Alex Blackwell will captain the side. Fields will be replaced by Alyssa Healy behind the stumps. Alyssa is the niece of former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy.

The hosts West Indies have the potential to pull off some upsets and with the home advantage in their favour, they will be eager to reach the semis. But with Australia and England in their group, they will have to put forward their best foot forward.

Pakistan, who have not played many matches since last year, surprised everyone with their win over West Indies in the warm-up match and their spinners can put South Africa in the dock on Wednesday. ICC