Women's Test Cricket: From 1934 to the Modern Era
Women's Test cricket began in 1934 — six years before most women even had the vote in many cricket-playing nations. This guide traces the history of women's Test cricket from its origins in Australia, through England vs Australia's historic rivalries, to the modern landscape where Tests are now rare but deeply valued.
Women's Test cricket has a longer history than most cricket fans realise — the first women's Test match was played in 1934 between England and Australia, 57 years after the first men's Test (1877) but decades before women's cricket was taken seriously as a professional sport. The history of women's Tests is one of persistence against institutional neglect: fewer matches, lower funding, less broadcast coverage, but a standard of play that has always been high and that the modern era is finally giving the visibility it deserves.
The First Women's Tests
England vs Australia played the first women's Test in December 1934 at Brisbane — Australia winning. The match established a rivalry that mirrors men's cricket's Ashes: England vs Australia in women's cricket has the same intensity, the same history, and since 2013 has been integrated into the 'Women's Ashes' multi-format series (Tests, ODIs, T20Is combined). England's Betty Archdale captained in the 1934 inaugural series; the Australian team included wicketkeeper Una Paisley who played until 1958.
Why Women's Tests Are Rare
Women's Tests are currently rare events rather than a regular schedule — each Test is a significant occasion rather than part of a recurring bilateral calendar. The reasons: broadcast rights economics (women's Tests historically commanded lower TV fees, reducing funding incentives for boards to schedule them); pitches and ground allocation; player availability (women cricketers in most nations were until recently amateur or semi-professional, limiting multi-day commitment); and ICC structure. The modern era has seen significant investment: the 2022-23 women's Ashes Tests were broadcast on Channel 7 in Australia, the 2023 England vs Australia pink-ball Test at Trent Bridge sold out.
The Modern Women's Test Landscape
The modern women's Test landscape (post-2020) has improved dramatically: India hosted their first women's Test in seven years in 2021 (vs Australia, Manuka Oval); the women's Ashes now carries points like men's; New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan have all scheduled women's Tests. Smriti Mandhana (India), Tammy Beaumont (England), Heather Knight (England captain), Meg Lanning and Beth Mooney (Australia) have built profiles that make women's Test cricket commercially viable. The ICC Women's Test Championship — with a goal of increasing the number of women's Tests — represents the latest structural commitment.
Frequently asked questions
When did women's Test cricket begin?
Women's Test cricket began in December 1934 — England vs Australia in Brisbane, which Australia won. This was 57 years after the first men's Test (1877 England vs Australia in Melbourne). The women's game developed largely independently of the men's game and has its own deep bilateral history, particularly the England-Australia rivalry that since 2013 has been formalised as the Women's Ashes.
What is the highest score in women's Test cricket?
Ellyse Perry's 213* for Australia vs England at North Sydney Oval (2017) is the highest individual score in women's Tests. Perry's innings was a match-saving knock after Australia were set to follow on. Her Test record — over 1,350 runs at 51+ average and 26+ wickets at 18+ average — makes her the greatest women's Test all-rounder.
Why are there so few women's Test matches?
Women's Tests are rare because of historical funding gaps, broadcast economics, and player scheduling constraints (most women cricketers were amateur or semi-professional until recently). The modern era has seen improvement — India hosted their first women's Test in 7 years in 2021; women's Ashes Tests sell out; ICC is developing a Women's Test Championship. But Tests remain occasional events rather than a regular bilateral schedule compared to men's cricket.