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The history of women’s cricket
From village greens in the 18th century to sold-out World Cup finals.
Early years
The first recorded women’s cricket match was played in Surrey, England, in 1745. Clubs and touring teams followed in the 19th century, and the Women’s Cricket Association was founded in England in 1926.
The first Test and the first World Cup
England and Australia played the first women’s Test match in Brisbane in December 1934. The first Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973 – two years before the men’s – and those World Cup matches were also the first women’s One Day Internationals.
One governing body
In 2005 the International Women’s Cricket Council merged with the ICC, bringing the women’s game under the same governance, funding and tournament structure as the men’s.
The T20 era and professional leagues
The first women’s T20 International was played between England and New Zealand at Hove in 2004, and the first Women’s T20 World Cup followed in 2009. Franchise leagues – the WBBL in 2015, The Hundred in 2021 and the WPL in 2023 – turned women’s cricket into a full-time profession for many players.
Questions and answers
When was the first women’s cricket match?
The first recorded women’s cricket match was played in Surrey, England, in 1745.
When was the first women’s Test match?
In December 1934, between England and Australia in Brisbane.
Was the women’s World Cup held before the men’s?
Yes. The first Women’s Cricket World Cup was in 1973; the first men’s World Cup was in 1975.
When was the first women’s T20 International?
In 2004, between England and New Zealand at Hove.
Why women’s cricket history matters
Women have played cricket for nearly three centuries. Knowing that history explains why the women’s World Cup came before the men’s, why Australia and England dominated for so long, and how professional leagues changed everything.
Pioneers
The first recorded women’s match was played in Surrey in 1745. The Women’s Cricket Association was founded in England in 1926, and England and Australia played the first women’s Test in Brisbane in December 1934.
The World Cup era
The first Women’s World Cup in 1973, championed by Rachael Heyhoe Flint, gave the women’s game its first global tournament. The International Women’s Cricket Council merged with the ICC in 2005.
The professional era
The first women’s T20I (2004) and the first T20 World Cup (2009) opened the door to franchise leagues, and with them full-time professional careers for many players.