Remarkably, women’s cricket had its inaugural World Cup in England in 1973, predating the men’s equivalent by two years.
This historic event saw teams from England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, along with an International XI and Young England, compete. The host nation, England, emerged victorious, defeating Australia by 92 runs in a memorable final match.
Despite its pioneering spirit, this early tournament received scant attention from the wider world.
The sport’s roots trace back even further, with the first recorded women’s cricket match potentially played in Surrey between the villages of Bramley and Hambledon as early as 1745. Yet, for many centuries, women’s involvement in cricket largely remained in the shadows, struggling for recognition and significant viewership.
The path to competitive women’s cricket was anything but easy. The stars of England’s 1973 World Cup-winning side often had to take on demanding jobs, like farming and selling potatoes, just to fund their passion. Stories abound of players driving straight to work after a game, one even succumbing to exhaustion at the wheel. In India, female cricketers faced similar, if not greater, challenges, with some having to travel to matches by bullock cart.
Fast forward to today, and the female cricketer stands on a global stage, having meticulously earned her place and the respect she now commands.
Now, the cricketing world turns its gaze to India, as the elite women cricketers gather for the 13th edition of the ODI World Cup. This tournament is set to be the most extensively followed women’s cricket event ever, and with competition tighter than ever, it promises thrilling, closely contested matches.
Landmark moments like Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive 171 not out for India against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) fully embracing women’s cricket, and the groundbreaking Women’s Premier League (WPL) have collectively transformed the sport, propelling it into an unprecedented era of growth and recognition.
This World Cup is poised to elevate the sport’s profile even further, kicking off with an exciting clash between co-hosts India and Sri Lanka at Barsapara Stadium.
As one of the strong contenders, India is keenly watched, a fact often highlighted by Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy.
Regardless of Healy’s comments, Australia remains the undeniable favorite. As defending champions, their squad boasts an exceptional blend of seasoned stars like Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Megan Schutt, alongside promising young talents such as Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield, making them a formidable all-round unit.
However, Healy’s assessment holds truth: the ‘Women in Blue’ possess a potent squad, including the currently in-form Smriti Mandhana, coupled with the advantage of home conditions and surging momentum. Should they clinch their first-ever World Cup title, it would deliver an immense boost to cricket within the nation.
Elsewhere, former champions England, despite recent series setbacks against Australia and India, still command a team with enough quality to vie for the title. South Africa and New Zealand are strong contenders for a semi-final berth, while Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are all poised to deliver upsets and memorable performances.
Significantly, this tournament also boasts a larger prize pool than the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, underscoring the growing investment and recognition in women’s cricket.