ICC WOMEN'S WORLD T20: All you need to know

The tournament begins on Friday, with the best of the best of women's T20 cricket set to duke it out for the title of world champions

What is the competition?

The ICC Women's World T20 is a biannual championship for women's T20 international cricket. This is the sixth edition of the tournament which was first held in 2009.

When does it start?

It gets underway on 9 November and will finish on 24 November.

Where is it happening?

The tournament is taking place across the West Indies, with the three venues being the Guyana National Stadium in Guyana, the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia, and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. This is the second time it has been held in the West Indies, who also hosted it in 2010.

Who is taking part?

There are 10 nations taking part in the tournament, with 8 of them qualifying automatically, and two making it through a qualification tournament held in July 2018.

As hosts, the West Indies qualified automatically, and the 7 other automatics were Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The two who qualified in July were Bangladesh and Ireland.

The 10 nations are split into two separate groups. Group A features England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh. Group B features Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland.

Each team will play the other teams in their group once, with the two highest-placing teams in either group making it the semi-finals.

^{Will Australia claim their fourth title?}

What's the format?

The ICC Women's World T20 will follow the standard T20 format, with bowlers being allowed to bowl a maximum of four overs each. The first six overs of both innings are powerplays, which means no more than two fielders allowed outside the 25-yard circle.

If a no ball is bowled, the batting side is awarded one run, and will also be given the chance of a free hit where they can only be dismissed via run out.

How can I follow it?

Every ball of the Women's World T20 will be broadcast live on television via Sky Sports Cricket. Their coverage begins on November 9 with India taking on New Zealand at 3pm GMT.

THE FULL LIST OF SKY'S COVERAGE CAN BE FOUND HERE

Who is the favourite?

Australia are the no.1 ranked side in the ICC Women's T20I standings, and with a team that has no apparent weaknesses, they look big favourites to add to their three Women's World T20 crowns.

They go into the competition having won nine consecutive T20I matches, and also three series victories. 2018 has been something of a bumper year for them as they posted their highest-ever total of 209 when they played India in March and inflicted whitewashes on both Pakistan and New Zealand.

In their ranks they have arguably the most dangerous player current playing women's cricket in all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who averages 26.20 with the bat and 20.10 with the ball in T20Is. Captain Meg Lanning is also a very dangerous player and averages an impressive 34.37 in T20I cricket. 

England are the current Women's World Cup holders after going all the way in 2017 which is an indication of their ability, while as defending champions and hosts the West Indies are certainly in with a shout of repeating the trick.