The International Cricket Council today released the schedule and format of the ICC Women's World Cup India to be held in Mumbai from January 31 to February 17
Holders England will begin their trophy defence also at Wankhede Stadium -- against Sri Lanka on February 2.
The top eight women's sides in the world will battle it out to be crowned ICC Women's World Cup champion across five venues. Holder England, along with New Zealand, Australia and India all qualified for next year's event by virtue of finishing in the top four of the ICC Women's World Cup 2009.
Joining the top four will be the top four sides from the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011, which was held in Bangladesh in November last year. Winner West Indies, along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa make up the remaining places in the tournament.
The eight teams have been divided into two groups of four, with the top three progressing into the Super Sixes stage of the tournament.
A total of 25 matches will be played across five venues in Mumbai -- Wankhede Stadium, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Cricket Club of India (CCI), Middle Income Group Club Ground (MIG) and DY Patil Stadium -- with CCI scheduled to host the final of the tournament on February 17 in a day/night ODI.
The ICC's official broadcast partner Star Cricket will broadcast 10 of those 25 matches in high definition. The 10 matches that will be broadcast will be a selection of those played at the Wankhede Stadium and the Cricket Club of India, including the final on February 17.
On the announcement of the schedule, ICC President Alan Isaac said, "The ICC Women's World Cup is the pinnacle of women's cricket and to have India hosting the top eight women