353. England, Netherlands, Ireland & Scotland: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Campaigns Under The Microscope

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 wasn't just about the finalists; it was also a tournament of home hopes, historic milestones, emerging Associate nations, and valuable lessons for teams at different stages of their journey.In Episode 353 of Never on the Backfoot, Janani of Sportsy Mathsy Tales fame joins in as we review the campaigns of England, the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland, four teams whose World Cups told vastly different stories.We begin with hosts England, who reached the final under Nat Sciver-Brunt but ultimately fell short against a dominant Australian side. We discuss whether reaching the final represents progress, the performances that defined their campaign, the impact of home conditions, and what England must do to bridge the gap to the world's best.We then turn our attention to the Netherlands, whose maiden Women's T20 World Cup appearance was about far more than simply participating. We explore how the Dutch proved they belonged on the biggest stage, the players who caught the eye, and what this experience means for the future of women's cricket in the Netherlands.Ireland's campaign produced a landmark moment with their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup victory, while also showcasing a young side capable of competing against Full Member nations. We analyse the positives, the areas that still need work, and why regular international cricket will be crucial to their continued growth.Finally, we look at Scotland, another team that created history with a memorable World Cup win and demonstrated that Associate nations are becoming increasingly competitive. From Kathryn Bryce's inspirational leadership to the team's encouraging performances, we discuss why Scotland leaves the tournament with genuine optimism for the future.