<p>The Women’s 50-over Cricket World Cup begins this week, with our all-conquering Australians the firm favourite to retain their crown at the top of the women's cricket world.</p> <p>We should note, however, that if last year’s T20 World Cup is anything to go by — which produced surprise finalists New Zealand and South Africa — we must always expect the unexpected in tournament play.</p> <p>Even with a month of high-stakes, high-quality cricket ahead, we expect “normal service” to resume: the powerhouses of the women’s game will likely continue to set the pace.</p> <p>Australia enters as the clear favourite. But host nation India has been preparing intensely for this tournament for years, and many regard this as their best chance yet to knock off Australia and claim their first Women’s World Cup title.</p> <p>England, too, is among the contenders. After a humiliating 16–0 multi-format Ashes defeat in January, they’ve undergone a significant transformation — both on and off the field. Under new coach Charlotte Edwards and full‑time captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt, they’ve improved their form at just the right time.</p> <p>So the questions remain: is this Australia’s tournament to lose? Who is their biggest challenger? Who will score the most runs, and who will take the most wickets?</p> <p>For the latest odds, analysis, news, and betting tips, read Sportsbet’s Women’s World Cup preview and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>When is the Women’s Cricket World Cup?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Women’s Cricket World Cup begins on Tuesday, 30th September, to be played in India and Sri Lanka as dual host nations.&nbsp;</p> <p>Eight nations compete in a league stage, with the top four teams qualifying for the semifinals. The winners then face off in the Final on November 2nd, to be played in either Mumbai or Colombo.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Women’s Cricket World Cup Format &amp; Venues</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka will play each other in a round-robin league stage, beginning on Tuesday, September 30, and finishing on October 26.</p> <p>The top four teams on the table will qualify for the semi-finals, which take place on October 29 and 30, and the final will be played on Sunday, November 2.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Where to Watch the Women’s Cricket World Cup in Australia?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Every match of the Women’s Cricket World Cup will be streamed live and exclusively on Amazon Prime.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australia’s 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Squad</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australia’s 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Match Schedule</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>October 1: </strong>v New Zealand, Holkar Stadium, Indore, 7:30pm AEST</p> <p><strong>October 4:</strong> v Sri Lanka, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 7:30pm AEST</p> <p><strong>October 8:</strong> v Pakistan, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 8:30pm AEDT</p> <p><strong>October 12:</strong> v India, ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam, 8:30pm AEDT</p> <p><strong>October 16: </strong>v Bangladesh, ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam, 8:30pm AEDT</p> <p><strong>October 22:</strong> v England, Holkar Stadium, Indore, 8:30 pm AEDT</p> <p><strong>October 25:</strong> v South Africa, Holkar Stadium, Indore, 8:30 pm AEDT</p> <h3>Finals</h3> <p><strong>Semi-final 1:</strong> Guwahati or Colombo, October 29, 8:30 pm AEDT</p> <p><strong>Semi-final 2: </strong>Mumbai, October 30, 8:30 pm AEDT</p> <p><strong>Final: Mumbai or Colombo,</strong> November 2, 8:30pm AEDT</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Tips &amp; Predictions</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Who Will Win?</h3> <p>While this might be the year to do it and get away with it, you’d be a brave person betting against Australia here.&nbsp;</p> <p>The defending champions sharpened themselves with a recent 2-1 series win over India in India earlier this month. The Australian batters have hit form at the right time, piling up a huge score of 412 runs in the final match of the series in Delhi.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their bowling unit is stocked with world-class spinners, and with several classy all-rounders, there is no clear weak link in the squad.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’re the clear favourites for a reason, and potentially go all the way.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/icc-womens-cricket-world-cup/women-s-world-cup-winner-2025-9538564">Australia</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Highest Run Scorer</h3> <p>With flat pitches set to be in the offing, we’re expecting a tournament of plenty of runs and a fun time for all the batters.</p> <p>While there are plenty of hard hitters descending on India, We’re finding it hard to look past local superstar Smriti Mandhana.&nbsp;</p> <p>Fresh off back-to-back centuries against Australia, she’s hit form at the perfect time. India will need her to go big at the top of the order time and time again if they want to deliver a tournament win.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Smriti Mandhana (India)</p> <p><strong>Dark horse:</strong> Emma Lamb (England)</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h3>Leading Wicket Taker</h3> <p>The flat pitches bring the spin bowlers into the frame here in a big, big way. And, Australia has an army of world-class spinners who are ready to wreak havoc in pursuit of another world title.&nbsp;</p> <p>England’s Sophie Ecclestone is undeniably the best off-spinner in the women’s game, but Australia’s queen of leg spin, Alana King has made a push for the crown of worlds best in a big way after a stellar 2025 for both Australia and in the franchise leagues.&nbsp;</p> <p>How she is used through the phases of the innings will be a fascinating watch, but every time she comes onto bowl, she takes wickets for fun. And, we’re expecting her to lead all comers in this World Cup.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Alana King (Australia)</p> <p><strong>Dark horse: </strong>Radha Yadav (India)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Winner Odds:&nbsp;</h3>