The Origins of the Women’s Cricket World Cup

Sports are a birthright, offering the chance to achieve great things and make those around you proud. So, every sport deserves to be inclusive and accessible to all. They should allow you to express yourself on the biggest stages, and everyone should have this opportunity. The women cricket evolution and the changes it brought to the sports world are the best examples proving this thought.

When did women's cricket start? What contributions do female cricket players make in the sector, and what challenges do they come across during their journey? Who is the first women cricketer in the world? Let's uncover all these questions together.

Historical Background

The whole idea of the female cricket tournament was brought up in a conversation in Wolverhampton between a businessman, Jack Hayward, and a female cricketer, Rachael Heyhoe Flint. They spent a whole night in 1971 planning a tournament. In 1973, the Women’s Cricket World Cup already had seven teams.

The game format at the time was slightly different from what we are used to now. The teams used to play 60 overs instead of 50. Moreover, the winner was determined by a league instead of a knockout stage. India made its debut and first hosted the women’s tournament in 1978, the year when Australia defeated the reigning champions.

Founding Figures

The most significant name in the history of the foundation of the Women’s Cricket World Cup is Jack Hayward. Even before founding the Women’s Cricket World Cup, he was a famous figure among the women's cricket players not only in England but also in the Caribbean.

In 1970, Jack Hayward had already sponsored an unofficial W.C.A. tour to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the West Indies. A year later, he organized the Triangular Tournament, with Jamaica, Trinidad and England participating.

Early Challenges

There is a rich and inspiring history behind the women’s cricket we know now. It was not always easy for women to have the chance to demonstrate their talents. It was a real struggle to find an opportunity, but even so, brave pioneers of the sport were able to push the sport to grow despite the gender stereotypes.

Not only were there very few opportunities and financial difficulties, but the cricket organizations also did not offer much support or recognition for players. Moreover, at the time, the attitude of society toward female players was vastly different and restraining.

Even with all those setbacks and challenges, women’s cricket has come to be regarded as a mainstream sport. You can see most of their tournaments aired on TV and viewed by millions of fans. It is a popular sport, even on a lot of betting sites across the globe, like Mostbet, where you can follow events live and place your bets on your favorite female player.

Growth and Development Over the Decades

Women's cricket history goes back to the 18th century, and then it evolved continually, bringing new players, events, and matches to the ground. Here, let's see what the main turning points are worth knowing.

1970s to 1980s: Establishing a Foothold

A major turning point in women’s cricket was the establishment of a council. The council's biggest mission was promoting women's cricket and creating global tours to help with it. In a matter of several years, between 1973 and 1997, more countries launched their own female cricket organizations, such as the West Indies, Denmark, Ireland, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

1990s to 2000s: Gaining Momentum

Cricket has seen several changes since its creation, and its format has also undergone some changes. Test cricket has paved the way for T20 cricket, which will make the game even more eventful and a bit faster. The very first international T20 cricket match played for women was played in 2004 between England and New Zealand.

Over time, many T20 leagues have joined in to bring a tournament for women, such as Australia’s Big Bag League (BBL). Indian Premier League (IPL) has also demonstrated interest in bringing WIPL.

2010s to Present: Global Recognition

A significant event for women's cricket took place in 2009 when the ICC hosted the very first women's cricket match – the T20 World Cup. Millions of spectators tuned in to watch the matches, and the sport became greatly popular.

Fast-forward some years, and women’s cricket has experienced exponential growth and now includes numerous international events, leagues and tournaments. There is a great demand for it on most betting platforms as well.