Women's Cricket History — From 1745 to the Modern Game
Women's cricket has a longer history than many fans realise. Learn how the women's game evolved from its 18th-century origins to a global professional sport.
The Earliest Women's Cricket
The first recorded women's cricket match took place on July 26, 1745, in Bramley, Surrey, England — between teams from Bramley and Hambledon. Women's cricket was not a novelty but a recognised sport in 18th-century England. Multiple match records from the 1770s and 1780s survive, showing that women's cricket was taken seriously as entertainment and competition.
The Women's Cricket Association (1926)
The Women's Cricket Association (WCA) was founded in England in 1926 — preceding many men's domestic cricket administrations. The WCA organised the first women's Test match in 1934 between England and Australia in Brisbane. Women's international cricket thus began 47 years after the first men's Test, but was nonetheless established before women's sport gained widespread mainstream acceptance.
First Women's World Cup (1973)
The first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973 — two years BEFORE the men's World Cup in 1975. England won the first edition. The women's game was ahead of the men's game in organising a World Cup, a fact that frequently surprises cricket fans who assume the reverse.
Women's Cricket in the 21st Century
The 2000s saw a dramatic transformation. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup was launched in 2009. Women's IPL (Women's Premier League, WPL) launched in 2023. Broadcast deals and prize money improved significantly. The 2020 Women's T20 World Cup final at the MCG drew 86,174 fans — the largest crowd ever for a women's sporting event in Australia.
Key Milestones
- 1745: First recorded women's cricket match, Bramley vs Hambledon.
- 1926: Women's Cricket Association founded in England.
- 1934: First Women's Test match — England vs Australia in Brisbane.
- 1973: First Women's Cricket World Cup held in England.
- 2009: First ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
- 2020: MCG Women's T20 World Cup final — 86,174 attend.
- 2023: Women's Premier League (WPL) launches in India.
Frequently asked questions
When did women's cricket become professional?
Women's cricket became professional at different times in different countries. England's women players became centrally contracted professionals in 2014. Cricket Australia followed in 2015. India's BCCI introduced women's central contracts in 2017. The WPL (2023) brought fully professional T20 cricket to Indian women for the first time.
Which country has won the most Women's World Cups?
Australia has the most Women's World Cup titles — they have won both the 50-over Women's World Cup (seven times) and the T20 World Cup multiple times, making them the dominant force in women's cricket globally.