Women's Cricket History — Key Milestones and How the Game Grew
A timeline of women's cricket history — from the first international match in 1934 to the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, covering the milestones that transformed the game.
The First Women's Test Match (1934)
The first women's Test match was played between England and Australia in Brisbane in December 1934 — 57 years after the first men's Test in 1877. England won by nine wickets. The International Women's Cricket Council was founded in 1958 to formally organise the international game, nearly eight decades after the men's ICC equivalent.
The Women's World Cup (1973)
The first Women's Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973 — two years before the first Men's World Cup in 1975. England won the inaugural edition. This timing is a significant historical fact: women's limited-overs cricket was formally competed at World Cup level before men's World Cup cricket existed.
The Professionalisation Era (2000s–2020s)
The 2000s saw gradual professionalisation of women's cricket across England, Australia, and India. Australia's national women's contracts began in the early 2000s; England followed in 2014. The introduction of Women's Big Bash League (Australia), Kia Super League (England, replaced by The Hundred), and Women's IPL (2023) created commercial platforms that accelerated professionalisation globally.
Growth Markers: Viewing Figures and Broadcast
The 2022 Women's T20 World Cup final at the MCG drew 86,174 fans — a world record for a women's cricket match. BBC broadcasts of The Hundred women's competition have averaged over 500,000 viewers per session in the UK. Women's IPL 2023 attracted over 2,500 registered players from 18 countries for the auction. These numbers reflect genuine, sustained commercial growth.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first Women's Cricket World Cup?
The first Women's Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973 — two years before the first Men's Cricket World Cup. England won the inaugural event.
Who has won the Women's T20 World Cup the most times?
Australia have won the Women's T20 World Cup more times than any other nation — winning multiple editions before New Zealand claimed their first title in 2024.
When did women's cricket become fully professional in England?
England Cricket introduced central contracts for women's players in 2014, marking the beginning of full professionalism for the England women's team. The Hundred (from 2021) extended professional contracts to domestic franchise players.