England Women’s World Cup 2025 squad SWOT analysis: Talismanic captain, potent spin quartet in focus

It’s truly something when a four-time world champion and one of the traditional superpowers of a sport enters a world tournament as an underdog. That’s where England finds itself ahead of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

Much of the build-up to this World Cup has been overshadowed by controversy around Kate Cross’s ommission from the squad and her vocal comments on the same. England has a job at hand to cut out the noise and put on a good show in India.

Here’s everythying you need to know about the squad:

Captain: Natalie Sciver-Brunt

Coach: Charlotte Edwards

Latest ICC rankings (we pass on 23rd) – #3

Best finish at the ODI World Cup: Champion (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017)

Form (W/L record) since the last World Cup: (39 games played: W:25 | L: 12 | NR:2)

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STRENGTH

England has built incredible depth in its batting lineup. The return of the experienced Heather Knight after an injury layoff will bolster the English attack and lend skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt crucial support in the middle order. Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s return to the squad also adds another potent scorer to the mix. England has also bulked up its spin wallet. In world no. 1 Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, and Linsey Smith, England has the resources to hold it in good standing in India and Sri Lanka.

WEAKNESS

This evolving England team has been at the mercy of momentum more often than it would have liked. When things get tough, the unit sometimes mentally checks out en masse. Case in point, the thrashing at the hands of visiting India a few months ago in both white ball formats. The bowling looked sapped out of ideas, while the batting was dangerously dependent almost solely on Sciver-Brunt. The ace all-rounder has often looked passive with the captain’s armband, but makes up for any stillness with earth-splitting batting displays. Supporting her will be a priority should England want to progress in this tournament.

OPPORTUNITY

For long, the veteran racehorses have carried the weight of England’s ambitions on their backs. The squad picked for the 2025 edition has a generous sprinkling of youth with the likes of Em Arlett, Lauren Bell, Sophia Dunkley, and more waiting to make the stage their own. Having finished as runner-up in the 2022 edition, a relatively wonkier English side will need to collectively find its rhythm should it hope to put on a similar show this time around.

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THREAT

England is still in the early stages of the Charlotte Edwards era, and the shakiness has been there for all to see. This World Cup has come in a tad early for anyone’s comfort. If teams can find ways to take away momentum early, England often falters at calming the nerves and focusing on the job. Teams will look to corner Ecclestone and Sciver-Brunt, the two pillars of the English setup. Pester them, and England lies exposed.

PREDICTION

More than England losing competitive ground, other teams have caught up in form, consistency, and squad balance. For a coach who collects trophies for fun, this World Cup will be the biggest test of whether her magic (perhaps singularly) can make a difference. England should fancy making the knockouts, but it won’t be easy.

Published on Sep 24, 2025