Win Projections to be updated soon
England expects low attendance at October’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, but they are confident that their upcoming training camp in Abu Dhabi will help them adapt to the late venue shift from Bangladesh to Dubai and Sharjah. The team believes that the preparation in Abu Dhabi will equip them to handle the challenges posed by the unexpected change, ensuring they are ready to perform at their best despite the anticipated empty stands.
Heather Knight Expects Empty Stadium in Dubai:
The ICC confirmed last week that the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 would be relocated from Bangladesh to the UAE due to civil unrest, which also prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Despite the venue shift, England’s squad remains intact, though they expect altered playing conditions and potentially low attendance. The move from Bangladesh to Dubai and Sharjah presents new challenges, but England is ready to adapt and compete.
England Skipper Heather Knight said, “ It’s going to be a bit different. There definitely would’ve been bigger crowds in Bangladesh, having played there in 2014 in the World Cup. We actually got some really good crowds, particularly in Sylhet… It’s become the norm for us to have people around. It is something we’ll talk about, but it’s a World Cup: it shouldn’t take too much to get up for that.”
She further said, “ Some people thrive off the noise and the energy from the crowd, so [it’s about] making sure, individually, that everyone is prepared for potentially what we’re going to get. I don’t think, suddenly, there’s going to be a big rent-a-crowd. But it is what it is, and obviously safety and things like that are probably the most important things.”
After 18 months of preparation focused on a spin-heavy strategy for a tournament in Bangladesh, England’s plans took a turn with the venue change. However, Knight supported the ICC’s decision to move the event, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the new conditions in the UAE.
She added, “ It’s obviously a shame for the Bangladesh team that they’re not going to have a home World Cup. But I think it’s probably the right decision… the conditions will be slightly different, but not hugely.”
England to Arrive at Dubai:
England will land in Abu Dhabi on September 13, three weeks prior to their first World Cup match, to begin a training camp. This early arrival is designed to help the team acclimate to the conditions and prepare effectively for the tournament. The training camp will provide crucial time for adjustment and strategy before their opening game.
England’s initial three matches of the tournament will be held at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which accommodates 16,000 spectators. Their final group stage game is scheduled for Dubai International Stadium, which has a capacity of 25,000. These venues will serve as key locations for England’s group-stage fixtures, providing different settings for their performances in the tournament.
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