Womens Cricket

Womens cricket has a long history. The first match took place in 1745 between Bramley and Hambleton, in Berkshire, England. However, it was almost 200 years before first test match in 1934, between England and Australia.

The game grew steadily, and the inaugural womens world cup took place in 1973. Ten nations now have a women's test cricket team.

International womens matches are organised by the ICC. You can find summary information about womens cricket on their web site, but the CricinfoWomen page gives more detail about the top womens teams and players, and about the latest international matches and ranking lists. Not only are Australia the top men's team in the world – their womens team are also top of the womens rankings.

A woman was responsible for creating the over-arm bowling action that is now a key part of the modern game. This was devised by Christine Willes in the early 1800s, as a practical solution to avoid getting her bowling arm tangled in her huge, hoop skirt.

A record number of women's teams have been entering the game at school, club and county level since 2000, and in 2003 the ECB stated that girl's cricket had over 2 million players. The same picture is also true in India, Australia and New Zealand.

In the UK, the ECB are responsible for promoting the game, setting up new clubs and leagues, and introducing new girls to the sport. If you're excited about getting into the game and you want more information, the Women's Regional Cricket Managers can help you. Alternatively, try your own county Cricket Development Manager. Whatever your standard, there’s a level of cricket that you can enjoy.

Girls don't necessarily have to play in a girl's team. Many club's junior sections will welcome girls to mixed coaching sessions, and will pick a mixed team based on merit. This works while junior players arrive at the ground already changed, as usually happens up to age 12 or 13. However, without separate changing facilities, girls will then take the path towards women's cricket.

If you’re keen to set up a women's cricket section at an existing club the ECB can offer guidance, and even a funding route. Their club development flowchart will help you with the right steps to take, including how to attract new members and how to set up links with ECB Cricket Development Managers.

For coaches, most girls will not have played cricket before, so learning the basics through Kwik Cricket and Inter Cricket is a good starting point. As with all beginners, its good to emphasise how much fun they can get from the game on the field, and from the social side.

Many girls find it difficult to play cricket at the same standard as boys of the same age group, so encouragement is vital if they are playing in mixed teams or at the same coaching sessions. From this viewpoint, separate girl’s teams are an advantage.

However, at county and international level, there are many competitive and talented women players, so as with the boys, the rewards are there for the most determined. Nevertheless, the key to enjoying all forms of cricket is to have fun, and that’s the message for all cricket parents to bring to the party.

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