Innovations and Expertise to Feature in Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Coverage

The upcoming Women's T20 World Cup 2024, set to begin on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates, promises to be a trailblazing event with advanced technology and an array of distinguished cricket personalities. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the inclusion of the Smart Replay System, a move that marks a first for ICC events, previously seen in The Hundred and IPL 2024.

Leading the commentary and analysis team are several prominent figures in women’s cricket. The roster includes World Cup champions Mel Jones, Lisa Sthalekar, Stacy Ann King, and Lydia Greenway, alongside former international stars Anjum Chopra and Katey Martin. Joining them is ex-India women’s head coach WV Raman, ensuring an experienced representation that spans different eras of the sport.

England’s Lydia Greenway, who competed in the inaugural T20 International and the first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup Final, expressed her excitement about the upcoming tournament. “We’re seeing elite athletes at the peak of their powers, and with the increased prize pool, it’s clear the game is being given the platform and respect it deserves,” she stated. Greenway added that the tournament would showcase breathtaking skills and potentially create unforgettable moments in women’s cricket history.

Adding further gravitas to the event are former skippers of India and Pakistan, Mithali Raj and Sana Mir, who are also part of the esteemed setup. In addition, top cricket voices including Natalie Germanos, Ian Bishop, Kass Naidoo, Nasser Hussain, Alison Mitchell, Carlos Brathwaite, and Mpumelelo Mbangwa will contribute to the coverage.

Ian Bishop, a longstanding figure in cricket commentary, expressed his enthusiasm for the women’s game. “Women’s cricket has been very close to my heart for quite some time. It is exciting to behold how much the game has evolved – the women cricketers continue to exhibit ever-increasing ingenuity, athleticism, power, and finesse,” Bishop remarked.

Kass Naidoo, alongside Laura McGoldrick, will manage the build-up shows, bringing seasoned insights to the audience. ICC TV will handle the live coverage, featuring at least 28 cameras per game and employing analytical and visual enhancements to ensure a comprehensive viewing experience. Additional features such as the Spidercam will be used selectively to increase viewer engagement.

The broadcasting plan includes a 30-minute pre-game build-up, an innings interval show, and a post-match wrap-up, promising a seamless broadcasting experience. The Decision Review System (DRS) will be available for all matches, assisting umpires with accurate decision-making aided by the Hawk-eye Smart Replay System. This innovation allows TV umpires to instantly review synchronized multi-angle footage.

Under the new setup, TV umpires will receive direct input from Hawk-Eye operators, enhanced by eight high-speed cameras, enabling them to view split-screen images and tri-vision for stumping decisions. This should result in more precise observations, replacing the previous reliance on slower Stump Cam footage. Following last year’s precedent, this tournament will also feature an all-female panel of umpires and match officials, emphasizing the ICC’s commitment to gender diversity in cricket.