Women's World Cup: Eight young stars to watch

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to kick off in India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

This tournament promises not only fierce competition but also a showcase of emerging talent.

With a fresh wave of young cricketers primed to take the stage, here's a closer look at the standout players expected to light up the tournament from ball one.

Georgia Voll – Australia

Leading the charge for Australia is the sensational Georgia Voll. At just 22 years old, she has already made her mark in the One Day International (ODI) arena with an impressive average of 57.66 from four matches, having scored 173 runs, including a thundering century against India. 

Voll looks to have the skill set to score runs in bunches, and she could help drive Australia to another lengthy World Cup run.

Alice Capsey – England

 Armed with experience and talent despite still only being 21 years old, Capsey enters the World Cup with 26 ODI caps and recent domestic prowess that has included impressive performances in the Hundred tournament, where she scored two half-centuries and took 12 wickets.

The all-rounder averages 23.58 with the ball and 20.17 with the bat in the format, and is in fine domestic form coming into CWC 2025

Her all-round capabilities will be crucial for England as they strive for supremacy in the tournament.

Nishita Akter Nishi – Bangladesh

Introducing a spark of youth from Bangladesh, spinner Nishita Akter Nishi, just 17 years old, made headlines earlier this year during the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup.

Known for her off-spin and wicket-taking ability, she made a memorable impression by dismissing Jahzara Claxton. 

The teenager earned two caps at 15 against Pakistan in 2023, and will make her World Cup debut next month.

The off-spinner can turn the ball a long way and produced a highlight dismissal of West Indies’ Jahzara Claxton in the U19 World Cup, squaring the batter up and hitting the top of her middle stump.

Flora Devonshire – New Zealand

New Zealand's Flora Devonshire, an uncapped all-rounder, is also set to make her mark on the World Cup.

Although she has yet to bat in her limited opportunities, her bowling performance indicates she could be a valuable asset to the White Ferns in their campaign for victory.

The left-arm off-spinner has two T20I caps for the White Ferns as she debuted this year in their series against Sri Lanka.

Eyman Fatima – Pakistan

At merely 20 years of age, Eyman Fatima stands out as one of Pakistan’s crown jewels.

Although she has yet to earn an ODI cap, her performances in the U19 circuit have been stellar, where she emerged as the leading run-scorer.

She was Pakistan’s leading run scorer at the 2023 ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup with 157 runs at an average of 52.33, with a top score of 65* off 60 deliveries against Rwanda.

Eyman made her T20I debut in August against Ireland, scoring 23 off 16 balls.

Dewmi Vihanga – Sri Lanka

The 20-year-old all-rounder has already made her presence felt, being the second-highest wicket-taker in the Tri Nations series with 11 wickets earlier this year.

The 20-year-old averages just 18.81 over her four appearances with best figures of 5/43 against South Africa in May.

Her dual-threat capabilities with bat and ball will be indispensable as Sri Lanka looks to make a statement in front of home fans.

Annerie Dercksen – South Africa

Thw 24-year-old is the first South African player to scoop the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award.

The all-rounder is excellent in every facet of the game, averaging 36.54 with the bat and 27.8 with the ball in 13 ODIs to this point.

She is in top form coming into CWC 2025, after she scored 104 from No. 7, at a strike rate of 123, against Sri Lanka in May.

Dercksen will be key to South Africa’s run at the World Cup, both by picking up crucial runs down the order and bowling consistent line and length in the middle of the innings.

Kranti Gaud – India

A pace bowler with a bright future ahead. Gaud has shown promise with standout performances during her nascent career. With her impressive wicket-taking abilities and competitive spirit, she is poised to become a key figure in the Indian attack and could be pivotal on the team’s home turf.

The 22-year-old has only six caps to her name in ODIs so far, but she has performed brilliantly, cementing her place in India’s World Cup squad.

During her country's tour of England this summer, she joined Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav as the only players to ever take six wickets for India in ODIs in the country, with six for 52 at Chester-le-Street.

Heading into the World Cup, Gaud’s average sits at an impressive 18.53, and she looks set to make an impact for the hosts.