Women’s cricket is the centuries-long story of women playing, organizing, and elevating a sport once thought to be a male preserve. From a village green near Guildford in 1745 to World Cup finals filling major stadiums, the game’s evolution mirrors changing societies and the increasing visibility of women in sport.

This article traces the first recorded match, the slow build through the 18th and 19th centuries, the formation of governing bodies, the first international tours, and the breakout professional era powered by TV, T20, and new leagues.

Origins: a summer’s day near Guildford, 1745

The earliest known reference to women’s cricket is widely acknowledged to be a report in The Reading Mercury, dated 26 July 1745. It described a match held on Gosden Common near Guildford between the villages of Bramley and Hambledon in Surrey. The report is striking for its detail and its admiration for the players’ skill.

"The greatest cricket match that was played in this part of England was on Friday, the 26th of last month, on Gosden Common, near Guildford, between eleven maids of Bramley and eleven maids of Hambledon, all dressed in white. The Bramley maids had blue ribbons and the Hambledon maids red ribbons on their heads. The Bramley girls got 119 notches and the Hambledon girls 127. There was of bothe sexes the greatest number that ever was seen on such an occasion. The girls bowled, batted, ran and catches as well as most men could do in that game."

This single paragraph sets the tone for women’s cricket history: organization, community interest, spectacle, and ability. It also fixes a crucial point on the timeline—women were playing cricket in structured, competitive formats long before the modern era.

What made that day possible?

• Local patronage and leisure culture: 18th-century England saw cricket thrive as a betting and community pastime. Women’s matches sometimes drew mixed crowds, and the novelty drew newsprint.
• Access to open common land: Places like Gosden Common enabled public, informal sport without costly infrastructure.
• Dress and identity: The report mentions white clothing and ribbons—early nods to team colors, uniformity, and ceremony that remain part of cricket’s culture.

The 18th and 19th centuries: sporadic, spirited, and social

After Guildford, references to women’s games pop up across southern England, especially in Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire. Some were organized for fairs or charity; others were local rivalries. Reports from the late 1700s and early 1800s describe robust crowds and wagers, underscoring that women’s cricket was neither invisible nor purely domestic entertainment.

Yet growth was uneven. Victorian social norms often discouraged women’s vigorous sport, and where women did participate, it was more common in schools or private grounds. Still, women formed teams in universities and at private colleges, and by the late 19th century, cricket was a recognized part of women’s physical education in some institutions in England, Australia, and New Zealand.

Notable seeds of organization

• Club and school fixtures: Informal but recurring matches built confidence and skill.
• Press mentions: Coverage ensured public memory; even brief notes helped normalize women playing cricket.
• Colonial spread: As cricket embedded in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Caribbean, and the Indian subcontinent, women picked up bat and ball in parallel with men’s teams, often in educational or community contexts.

Formalization arrives: the Women’s Cricket Association and beyond

The interwar years marked a decisive shift from scattered fixtures to structured governance. In 1926, the Women’s Cricket Association (WCA) formed in England, providing rules, fixtures, and a pathway to representative teams. Clubs proliferated, and county-level women’s teams emerged.

In 1934–35, the first women’s Test series took place: England toured Australia and New Zealand. Pioneers like captain Betty Archdale and all-rounder Myrtle Maclagan became household names, with Maclagan famously scoring 72 and taking 7 wickets for 10 runs in the first women’s Test at Brisbane. The milestone established the women’s Test as a recognized format mirroring the men’s game.

Key early milestones

• 1926: Women’s Cricket Association founded (England).
• 1934–35: First women’s Test series (England vs Australia and New Zealand).
• Post-1945: Regularized tours among England, Australia, and New Zealand; strong school and club systems took root.

Rachael Heyhoe Flint and the first Cricket World Cup

The modern profile of women’s cricket owes much to Rachael Heyhoe Flint, a visionary captain and campaigner. Her leadership and media savvy helped deliver the first Cricket World Cup—in 1973, two years before the men’s inaugural event. England hosted and won the tournament, proving that women’s international cricket could attract sponsors, press, and fans.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, international women’s cricket expanded, though limited funding, fewer fixtures, and minimal TV coverage kept the game largely amateur. Nevertheless, greats like Australia’s Sharon Tredrea, New Zealand’s Debbie Hockley, and India’s Diana Edulji advanced standards and inspired new generations.

Integration and the T20 pivot

The late 1990s and 2000s brought institution-level changes. National boards increasingly integrated women’s cricket into their operations. The International Women’s Cricket Council merged with the ICC in 2005, streamlining governance and aligning global events with standard commercial practices.

The arrival of Twenty20 (T20) cricket transformed visibility. Shorter matches made broadcast and prime-time scheduling easier. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup launched in 2009 and quickly became a showpiece. In 2020, the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground drew 86,174 fans—one of the largest crowds for a women’s sporting event globally—signaling a cultural shift.

Professional domestic leagues

• WBBL (Australia): Launched in 2015, the Women’s Big Bash League set benchmarks in broadcast hours, pay, and player development, helping turn Australia into a powerhouse.
• The Hundred (England and Wales): Since 2021, integrated women’s and men’s scheduling, shared venues, and strong TV support have boosted reach and normalized parity in stagecraft.
• WPL (India): The Women’s Premier League began in 2023, with franchise values and high-profile auctions accelerating professionalization and raising global salaries.
• Other circuits: Super Smash (NZ), FairBreak Invitational, regional T20s in South Africa and the Caribbean, and emerging leagues across Associates widen the talent pool.

Global growth: a quick tour by region

England

From the WCA to the ECB era, England has been central. Initiatives like the Kia Super League (2016–2019) and later The Hundred and regional professional contracts have expanded the elite funnel. In 2023, the ECB announced equal match fees for England’s men’s and women’s teams, a symbolic and material step forward.

Australia

Cricket Australia’s investment in pathways and the WBBL produced sustained success: multiple World Cups and a deep bench. Collective bargaining has steadily lifted pay, with domestic contracts and match fees rising significantly in the 2020s.

India

India’s women reached the 2005 and 2017 ODI World Cup finals and the 2020 T20 World Cup final, igniting a fan base. In 2022, the BCCI announced equal match fees for men’s and women’s internationals. The WPL’s launch in 2023 supercharged visibility and remuneration, keeping more talent in cricket and attracting international stars.

New Zealand

Long a cradle of women’s cricket excellence, New Zealand produced legends like Debbie Hockley and Suzie Bates. Central contracts and the reenergized Super Smash maintain competitive standards despite a smaller market.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

Despite social and infrastructural hurdles, these teams have made landmark strides—qualifying for World Cups and claiming regional titles. Increased domestic structures and exposure via global leagues are sharpening skills.

South Africa and the West Indies

South Africa’s semi-final and final runs in global tournaments showcase rapid development. The West Indies, with stars like Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin, won the 2016 Women’s T20 World Cup, signaling the Caribbean’s potential when pathways align.

Associate members

Thailand’s rise at the 2020 T20 World Cup, the UAE’s youth programs, and Scotland, Ireland, and Netherlands’ regular international calendars illustrate widening participation. More bilateral series and ICC pathway events mean more caps, more data, and faster improvement.

Formats, equipment, and style of play

• Formats: Women’s Tests are rare but prestigious; ODIs (50 overs) and T20Is (20 overs) dominate. The T20 format has driven broadcast appeal and league ecosystems.
• Equipment and pitch: The cricket ball, pitch length (22 yards), and core laws are identical to men’s cricket. Strategy differs subtly: bowlers often emphasize accuracy, swing, and change-ups; batters leverage placement, running, and evolving power-hitting.
• Fielding: Athleticism has surged, with direct hits, boundary saves, and catching standards rivaling the best in the sport.

Milestones and records to know

• 1745: First recorded women’s cricket match at Gosden Common, near Guildford.
• 1934–35: Inaugural women’s Test series; Myrtle Maclagan’s iconic all-round display.
• 1973: First Cricket World Cup (women’s), hosted and won by England.
• 2005: Integration of women’s governance into the ICC framework.
• 2009: First ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
• 2020: 86,174 at the MCG for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final (Australia vs India).
• 2021–present: The Hundred Women normalizes shared stages; WPL (2023–) turbocharges the market.

Money, media, and momentum

Professionalization rests on three pillars: contracts, competitions, and coverage. National boards now hand out central or regional contracts to dozens of players. Domestic leagues offer match fees and retainers to a broader pool. Major broadcasters schedule marquee women’s games in accessible slots, while digital platforms amplify highlights and personalities.

Recent markers include equal international match fees in India, equal match fees at national level in England, and substantial pay rises in Australia’s domestic contracts. Franchise investment in the WPL suggests long-term commercial confidence. Meanwhile, packed venues for key games show that demand is real when the product is visible and marketed.

Challenges and the road ahead

• Fixture volume and balance: More ODIs and T20Is are needed, and a sustainable cadence of women’s Tests remains a debated frontier.
• Pathways: Ensuring school-to-club-to-pro pipelines, especially in emerging markets, is crucial for depth.
• Pay structures: While progress is rapid, consistent salaries and benefits across countries lag behind men’s cricket.
• Global parity: Bridging the gap between top-ranked teams and Associates requires investment, touring opportunities, and development coaches.
• Data and storytelling: Comprehensive stats, analysis tools, and media narratives help fans connect and sustain interest.

Timeline highlights at a glance

• 1745: Bramley vs Hambledon at Gosden Common, near Guildford (first recorded women’s match).
• 1926: Women’s Cricket Association founded in England.
• 1934–35: First women’s Test tour by England to Australia and New Zealand.
• 1973: First Women’s Cricket World Cup.
• 2005: ICC integrates women’s cricket governance.
• 2009: Inaugural ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
• 2015: WBBL launches; 2021: The Hundred Women; 2023: WPL debuts.
• 2020: 86,174 attend the Women’s T20 World Cup final at the MCG.

Conclusion: from ribbons to roaring crowds

The image from 1745—two elevens in white, blue and red ribbons fluttering near Guildford—captures the start of a story that has since spanned continents. Women’s cricket is now a professional spectacle with packed stands, prime-time schedules, and role models whose names inspire schoolchildren worldwide. The fundamentals have barely changed since that first report: bowl, bat, run, catch. What has changed is everything around it—opportunity, visibility, and belief.

FAQ

When was the first recorded women’s cricket match?

On 26 July 1745 (reported by The Reading Mercury), played on Gosden Common near Guildford, Surrey, between teams from Bramley and Hambledon.

Who won the 1745 match on Gosden Common?

Hambledon’s team won, scoring 127 to Bramley’s 119, according to the newspaper report.

When did women’s Test cricket begin?

In 1934–35, when England toured Australia and New Zealand. The first women’s Test was played in Brisbane, with England defeating Australia.

Who organized the first Women’s Cricket World Cup?

England hosted the inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1973, driven by the efforts of Rachael Heyhoe Flint and supporters.

How is women’s cricket governed today?

Women’s cricket is fully integrated within the ICC and national boards. Most leading countries award central or regional contracts to women, and major domestic leagues operate on professional lines.

What are the most popular women’s cricket formats?

ODIs and T20Is dominate international schedules, while T20 drives domestic leagues such as the WBBL, The Hundred Women, and the WPL. Women’s Tests occur less frequently but remain significant.

Is pay parity improving in women’s cricket?

Yes. Several boards have raised match fees and salaries, with notable steps such as equal international match fees in India and equal match fees for England’s national sides. Progress continues, though full parity across all competitions and countries is still a work in progress.