Women's Cricket: A History of the Game's Growth
Women's cricket has grown from informal colonial-era matches to fully professional tournaments with global audiences — learn the key milestones in women's cricket history.
Early History of Women's Cricket
Women's cricket is documented from the 18th century — the earliest recorded women's cricket match took place in Surrey, England in 1745. The sport remained informal and primarily English for over a century, growing gradually through school and county cricket clubs across England before spreading internationally.
The Women's Cricket Association
The Women's Cricket Association (WCA) was founded in England in 1926 — the first formal women's cricket organisation. It organised domestic competition and facilitated international tours. England toured Australia in 1934 — the first women's Test series — launching a tradition of women's international cricket that has continued ever since.
The Women's World Cup
The first Women's Cricket World Cup was held in 1973 — two years before the first men's World Cup. England hosted and won. The tournament has been held every four years since, though scheduling has varied. Australia, England, and West Indies were the dominant early powers before India and other nations developed competitive women's programmes.
Professional Era: 2010 and Beyond
Women's cricket entered a professional era from the 2010s onwards. The ICC Women's Rankings, Women's IPL (WPL), The Hundred, and dedicated broadcast deals have transformed the game. Players like Ellyse Perry (Australia), Mithali Raj (India), and Meg Lanning (Australia) became household names. Central contracts and professional salaries are now standard for elite women cricketers.
Key Milestones
- 1745 — First recorded women's cricket match (Surrey, England)
- 1926 — Women's Cricket Association founded in England
- 1934–35 — First Women's Test series (England vs Australia)
- 1973 — First Women's Cricket World Cup
- 2014 — ICC integrates Women's Committee fully into central governance
- 2018 — First Women's T20 World Cup (West Indies)
- 2020 — 86,000 fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground for Women's T20 World Cup final
- 2023 — Women's IPL (WPL) launched in India
Frequently asked questions
Who is the most capped women's cricketer?
Mithali Raj of India retired as the highest run scorer in women's ODI cricket. Charlotte Edwards of England was, for many years, the most capped women's player by appearances. Records continue to evolve as the women's game expands.
When was the first women's Test match?
England vs Australia in 1934–35 — played across Australia — is the first recognised women's Test series. England won the series. Women's Tests continue to be played today, though limited-overs formats now dominate the women's cricket calendar.
Do women play the same number of overs as men?
In T20I cricket, women and men both play 20 overs per innings. In ODIs, women play 50 overs per team — the same as men. Women's Tests follow the same five-day structure but have sometimes been played over four days.