Women’s T20 World Cup: Catches Drop, Stakes Rise

Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates is unfolding unusually with players reaching surprising levels of dropped catches. With 62 catches and 35 drops recorded, the overall catching success rate stands at a mere 63.9%. This rate is notably lower than in previous tournaments; for example, the 2023 World Cup in South Africa recorded 50 catches and only 11 drops achieving an 82% success rate.

In 2020, Australia’s edition had an even higher success rate of 89% after eight matches. The 2024 tournament relocated to the UAE from Bangladesh due to civil unrest. Matches are taking place in Dubai and Sharjah, venues that have primarily hosted men’s cricket including numerous Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Interestingly, Dubai holds the record for the lowest catching success rate among the 14 grounds that have hosted over 10 matches since 2020.

In IPL games, the venue has recorded a success rate of just 77.5%. One theory behind the high drop rate suggests that the advanced floodlight design in Dubai, known as the “ring of fire,” complicates catching. These integrated lights may sit lower in a fielder’s eyeline, making it challenging to track fast-moving white cricket balls. So far, the West Indies team has the worst catching percentage at just 33%, having played both of their matches in Dubai.

In contrast, Australia the reigning champions boast the highest percentage although they played their matches in Sharjah. Despite Sharjah’s redevelopment which included installing LED lights, its catching success rate remains low at 60.3%. Both venues show reduced catching percentages in daytime matches leading to speculation about factors like bright sunlight or stadium design.

Overall, catching percentages have dropped 18% from the last Women’s World Cup, underscoring the saying: “catches win matches.”