Photo Credit: ICC
Cricket’s global superstars are ready to ‘Turn it Up’ for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup heading to South Africa in February 2023. With 100 days to go, the excitement for one of the biggest women’s sporting events in Africa ever is heating up.
To mark the occasion of 100 days to go, a new campaign ‘Turn it Up’ was launched on Tuesday, to garner nationwide interest and excitement ahead of the event. It is time for South Africans to once again show the world that there is no World Cup like an African World Cup. It is time for South Africa to #TurnItUp for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The eighth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup is set up to be a competitive showcase of cricket, as the 10 best teams in the world, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies prepare to turn it up for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.
Star Proteas batter, Laura Wolvaardt, is looking forward to representing South Africa for the first time in a ‘once-in-a-career’ opportunity.
“I am excited at the thought of the Women’s T20 World Cup being only 100 days away,” she said. “Hosting a World Cup at home is special, it is something that might only happen once in my career. It will be the first time we will be playing in a World Cup with some home support, that is something I am looking forward to.
“It will also be the first time I play for South Africa at Newlands, I have only played one or two provincial games but never for South Africa’ she added. “It is one of the most beautiful grounds in the world so to be there for a World Cup game will be incredible. I hope people come to watch, the atmosphere will be incredible, there is nothing better than being a supporter at Newlands; sitting in the stands and soaking it all in. It will be a special experience, I can’t wait to get going and to turn it up for the fans.”
Defending champions, Australia, will open their campaign against neighbours New Zealand at Boland Park on 11 February in search of their sixth Women’s T20 World Cup title. Vice-Captain, Alyssa Healy, says playing in South Africa will be a good test of their skill and character.
“It’s exciting to think that the next World Cup is only 100 days away,” she said. “ The women’s game continues to go from strength to strength and I’ve got no doubt the next tournament will be a memorable one. We’re looking forward to taking on the best teams in the world and defending the World Cup.”
India batter, Smriti Mandhana, says India are motivated to improve on their 2020 performance, which saw them go out to hosts Australia in the final attended by a record-breaking crowd of 86,174 at the MCG.
“The Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa promises to be a spectacular event, we are looking forward to heading there and competing against the best teams in the world,’ she said. ‘We came up short against Australia in the final in 2020 so we are really motivated to go one further in 2023. South Africa is a beautiful country to tour, the people love their cricket and always know how to turn it up, it’s going to be an amazing experience.”
South Africa, who are hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time, are preparing to put on an unforgettable cricketing spectacle, which also includes the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom and Benoni in January.
Fans are encouraged to turn it up in support of the event and their favourite teams and players, who will be in action in 23 matches over 15 days. Tickets across the three venues – Newlands, Boland Park and St George’s Park – are available for purchase at ticket offices at the stadia and online on https://womens.t20worldcup.com/tickets. For ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match schedule details please click here.
Name of Author: ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body for cricket, founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference. Renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, it became the ICC in 1987. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the ICC has 108 member nations.
