England’s Women Cricket – History, Current State & Future Predictions

England’s women’s cricket has a rich history. It’s filled with pioneering moments, incredible achievements, athletes who left their mark and a foundation to make the sport more popular in the future. Today, the combined team of English and Welsh women stands as a beacon of athletic excellence in the world of sports. As one of the global leaders, the ECB-governed team promises to have an even brighter future. Let’s look at it in more detail. 

History of Women’s Cricket in England

The history of women’s cricket in England dates back to the 18th century. Strangely enough, even though we think that women were held back from any kind of sports until the 20th century, historical records show us that the ladies born under the Union Jack were much more pioneering in athletics than one might’ve thought. Despite societal norms and limited opportunities, women in England were playing cricket as early as the 1700s.

The first recorded match was played in 1745, over 120 years earlier than the first record of a football game. However, as the sport grew in popularity amongst men, women’s cricket took a backseat. It was only in 1926 that the formation of the Women’s Cricket Association marked the beginning of organised women’s cricket. Currently, the governing body is the ECB or the England and Wales Cricket Board. 

The English women’s cricket team back in 1934-35. 

The women’s team, as it is today, played their first Test match in 1934 against Australia nonetheless. The Ashes, or England vs Australia, is a long-standing rivalry in both men’s and women’s games. 

Over the decades, the team evolved, overcoming societal barriers and gaining recognition. A huge help was the win at the inaugural 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup, hosted and won by England. Since then, the English squad has tallied:

• 4 World Cup Wins
• 7 European Championship Wins
• 4 Times Runners Up in the World Cup

Current State of England’s Women’s Cricket

England is one of the top teams globally, consistently ranking high in ICC rankings. As of late May 2024, it’s in 2nd place, closely trailing Australia in both ODI and T20I rankings. 

They have had remarkable performances in recent tournaments, including the ICC Women’s World Cup being the runners-up in the T20 World Cup in 2012, 2014 and 2018, as well as winning the Women’s World Cup in 2009 and 2017. More recently, in 2021, they were the runners-up in the T20 World Cup, showcasing consistency at the highest level.  

Despite a challenging loss in the 2022 WCWC final against Australia, the team showcased remarkable resilience and skill at the highest level. Observers of the team’s performance over the past decade and a half can only speak in the highest regard. They consistently prove to be amongst the most formidable teams in any major tournament, a testament to their unwavering determination and spirit.

Then Prime Minister Theresa May with the reception for England’s women’s national team.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has significantly increased funding for women’s cricket. The ECB spends £40m a year for Women’s, Men’s and Disability teams. Increased spending for cricket across the board is helping the English league and the board promote professional contracts, improve existing facilities, and build new ones.

A major step in the right direction was the establishment of the Women’s Cricket Super League, a domestic Twenty20 competition, which happened in 2016. This league provided a platform for domestic talent from England, Wales, and the rest of the UK to shine. It was followed by The Hundred in 2021, a professional 100-ball cricket league, which further increased the visibility of women’s cricket in England and attracted a larger audience of fans and young players.

It’s also important to talk about such programs and initiatives like “Chance to Shine”. Funded by ECB and Sport England under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are crucial for nurturing young talent. It’s nice to see that both the fans, the sport’s governing bodies and the athletes are mutually concerned with growing the game. 

Top England’s Women’s Cricket Players

Sarah Taylor

A truly special wicketkeeper and a precise batter. Over her years wearing the Lioness’ emblem, Sarah Taylor lifted the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup and had one of the best cricket highlights of all time with a superhuman catch against Australia.

Charlotte Edwards

Legend with capital L. Charlotte Edwards is one of the most iconic figures not just in women’s cricket but also in the English sporting world overall. Over her 20-year-long career representing England, the former cricketer scored over 10,000 runs in international cricket. Huntingdon’s native spearheaded England to the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup and the T20 World Cup the same year. 

Enid Bakewell 

One of the pioneers of the women’s game. In-game, Enid Bakewell was an all-rounder, scoring 1,000+ runs and taking more than 50 wickets in Test cricket. Anyone who played with her praised Bakewell for her athleticism and quickness. And probably everyone who faced her as an opponent had a nightmare or two once going to sleep after games. 

Future for England’s Women’s Cricket 

The future of women’s cricket in England looks promising. Persistent and continuously increasing investment in developmental and talent-nurturing programs in professional leagues from both the ECB and the private sector ensures that women’s cricket in England and Wales should continue to grow.

Even though there are more and more strong teams elsewhere around the world, England is well-positioned to remain a powerhouse in women’s cricket. If anything, improving competition forces top athletes to step up. Rising stars like Sophie Ecclestone, a left-arm spinner known for her accuracy and control, and Tammy Beaumont, a top-order batter with a strong technique, lead the charge for England’s national team. With such athletes representing it, the Lionesses look to once again share the feeling of what it feals standing at the top with thousands if not millions of fans at home.