Women’s T20 World Cup: Alex Hartley’s team-by-team guide and predictions

The Women’s T20 World Cup starts on Friday, with hosts England taking on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at Edgbaston.

Six-time winners Australia start as favourites but 50-over world champions India and back-to-back finalists South Africa might have something to say about that.

As for England, they sealed a big series win against India in the build-up and have never lost a World Cup when they have been the hosts.

The 12-team tournament consists of two groups of six, with the top two teams from each group going through to the semi-finals before the final at Lord’s on 5 July.

Former England spinner and 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, who is part of the BBC Test Match Special commentary team, gives a guide to each team and shares her predictions and a player to watch from each participating side.