ICC Women's Cricket World Cup: History, Champions and the Growth of Women's Cricket
The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup has been held since 1973 — two years before the men's World Cup — and has been won by Australia seven times. This guide covers the tournament's history and its role in growing women's cricket.
The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup predates the men's tournament by two years — the first women's World Cup was held in England in 1973, won by England, while the first men's World Cup was held in 1975. Since then, the Women's World Cup has been held every four years and has been dominated by Australia, who have won it seven times (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022) — more than any other nation. The tournament has grown significantly in profile and production values in the 2010s and 2020s, with the 2017 edition in England attracting the largest ever crowds for women's cricket matches.
Australia's Dominance
Australia's seven Women's World Cup titles reflect sustained excellence across five decades. Their success has been built on a professional domestic system (Women's Big Bash League, WNCL Sheffield Shield equivalent), significant investment from Cricket Australia, and generations of exceptional players. Meg Lanning, who retired in 2023, captained Australia to three World Cup titles and is widely regarded as the greatest women's ODI batter of the modern era. Ellyse Perry is the most celebrated Australian women's all-rounder, and Beth Mooney has been the best women's ODI batter in the world for extended periods in the 2020s.
England's 2017 Resurgence
England's 2017 Women's World Cup victory at Lord's — defeating India in the final — was a watershed moment for women's cricket in England. The final attracted a sold-out crowd of 23,000 at Lord's, and the BBC's coverage reached audiences of over a million. Anya Shrubsole's 6/46 in the final, reducing India from 191/3 to 219 all out when they needed 229, was one of women's cricket's most celebrated bowling performances. The 2017 World Cup's commercial success directly influenced the ECB's investment in the Kia Super League and eventually the Hundred women's competition.
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, won by the host nation England. It predates the men's World Cup by two years — the first men's World Cup was in 1975.
Who has won the Women's World Cup the most times?
Australia has won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup seven times (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022), more than any other nation. England has won it four times, India twice (1978 — joint with Australia — and 2017 runners-up but no title win), and New Zealand and West Indies once each.
How has women's cricket grown in recent years?
Women's cricket has grown dramatically in the 2010s-2020s due to ICC investment in women's tournaments, the launch of T20 leagues (Women's Big Bash, The Hundred, WPL in India), increased broadcast coverage, and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 final at the MCG attracting 86,174 spectators — the highest crowd for a women's sporting event in Australian history.