According to the reports in The Reading Mercury, the origin of women’s cricket ways back to 1745, when the 1st recorded match was played “between 11 maids of Bramley and 11 maids of Hambledon, all dressed in white” since then the game is growing and growing.
Pic Courtesy : Cric Diaries
So today let’s have a look at a few countries you would have never imagined has women’s cricket.
1. Japan
Women’s One Day Internationals
Debut match – 21st July 2003
Last match – 26th July 2003
Current team
Captain – Mai Yanagida
Coach – Natalie Schilov
Squad – Miho Kanno, Erika Ida, Shizuka Kubota, AyakoNakayama,Yuka Yoshida, Yuko Saito, Kurumi Ota, Atsuko Suda, Ayako Iwasaki, Shizuka Miyaji, Mariko Yamamoto, EmaKuribayashi, Erina Kaneko, Fuyuki Kawai, Yuko Kuniki
How many of you knew, Japan the Sumo wrestling Nation also has its presence in cricket? Yes! And I’m not even kidding.
Infact, Japanese women started playing at international level way before Japanese men. The team with associate member ICC status made their debut back in 2003 when they played their 1st ODI against Pakistan in The Netherlands. Japanese women could only manage to post a total of 28 runs out of which 20 runs came from extras. Not only did they lose all the five matches in IWCC Trophy but also gave 104 extra runs in their match against the Lionesses. Owing to the failure in their performance they were next seen in September 2006, playing a three match series against Papua New Guinea to qualify for 2007 World Cup Qualifier. Although the squad showed improvement in their performance they couldn’t manage to clinch victory.
Japan has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
2. Jamaica
Women’s One Day Internationals
Debut match – 30th June 1973
Last match – 14th July 1973
Current team
Captain – Stafanie Taylor
Coach – Cleon Smith hi
Squad – Stafanie Taylor, Shanel Daley, Alecia Bookal, Karla Cohen, Peta-Gaye Hanson, Abbiegaye Hendricks, Chinelle Henry, Natasha McLean, Jodi-Ann Morgan, Chedean Nation, Roshanna Outar, Tameka Sanford, Michelle Thompson, Vanessa Watts
A, Caribbean island nation, mostly popular for producing athletes takes a special interest in cricket. As a reason, cricket is one of the most popular sport in the country. How many of you knew, Jamaica was one of the seven countries which participated in the very first Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1973. They finished the tournament at the 6th position. However, with the inclusion of West Indies as united team, Jamaica no longer compete at international level but still continue to participate in West Indian domestic cricket.
3. Trinidad and Tobago
Women’s One Day Internationals
Debut match – 23rd June 1973
Last match – 20th July 1973
Current team
Captain – Merissa Aguilleira
Coach – Gerald Garcia
Squad – Merissa Aguilleira, Anisa Mohammed, Felicia Walters, Britney Cooper, Shenelle Lord, Stacy Ann King, Reniece Boyce, KirbyinaRamharack, Rachael Vincent, Caneisha Issac, Shanice Pascall, Kamara Ragoobar
A twin island Caribbean country, known for its cricket enthusiasm debuted way back in 1973. They played their first match against New Zealand at Clerance Park, St Albans. Also, they were a part of the very first Women’s Cricket World Cup and finished 5th in the seven country competing tournament. The women’s clinched victory in 2 matches out of the 6 they played in.
Their last international match was against England at Wolverhampton Cricket Club Ground, Wolverhampton. They no longer compete at international level but still continue to play ODI and test cricket as a member of the West Indies team.
4. Uganda
Women’s Twenty20 Internationals
Debut match – 7th July 2018
Last match – 12th July 2018
Captain – Kevin Awino
Coach – Francis Otieno
Squad – Kevin Awino, Joyce Apio, Concy Aweko, Gertrude Candiru, Saidati Kemigisha, Janet Mbabazi, Rita Musamali, Franklin Najjumba, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Prico Nakitende, Stephani Nampiina, Carol Namugenyi, Mary Nalule, Racheal Ntono
A landlocked country in East Africa whose love for football is known to the entire world but how many knew that cricket is the second most favorite game of the country. Ugandan Women’s made their debut in a triangular series against Kenya and Kenya A in January 2006. In December 2006, while playing African regional qualifiers for the 2009 World Cup they finished at third position against Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. The made their T20 international debut against Scotland at the VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen.
Uganda has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
Also Read : Uganda Women beat Oman women by 87 Runs in UAE International Women’s T20 Tournament
5. Kenya
Women’s One-Day International Cricket
Debut match – 5th January 2006
Last match – N/A
Captain – Sylvia Kinyua
Coach – Lameck Onyango
Squad – Margaret Ngoche, Sylvia Kinyua, Jane Otieno, Ruth Achando, Sarah Wetoto, VenasaOoko, Queentor Abel, Faith Mutua, Edith Waithaka, Veronica Abuga, Mary Mwangi, Esther Wachira, Alice Muoki, FiaviaOdhiambo
Did you know in 2006s triangular series between Uganda, kenya and Kenya A, both Uganda and Kenya were playing their first international match? They lost both the world cup qualifier they competed in, one in 2006 and the other in 2010. In 2006, they finished last in the tournament while competing against Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. And in 2010 they finished at 2nd place sharing the same with Zimbabwe. However, they won African Women Championship in December 2009 under the captaincy of Emily Ruto. And who can forget Sarah Bhakita’s unbeaten 186 runs knock against Rwanda in 2008, second woman in the world to do so internationally. They played women’s world cup qualifier yet again in 2016 but couldn’t qualify.
Kenya has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
6. Thailand
Women’s One-Day International Cricket
Debut match – 6th July 2007
Women’s One Day Internationals
First match – February 2017
Women’s Twenty20 Internationals
First match – 3rd June 2018
Last match – 7th July 2018
Captain – Somnarin Tippoch
Coach – Janak Gamage
Squad – Somnarin Tippoch, Nattaya Boochatham, Naruemol Chaiwai, Nattakan Chantam, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Rosenan Kanoh, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Suleeporn Laomi, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Sirintra Saengsakaorat, Sainammin Saenya, Chanida Sutthiruang, Arriya Yenyueak
Thailand’s women cricket team came in limelight when they defeated Sri Lanka a full member of ICC in 2018 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup. But their presence in international cricketing world ways back to 2007 when they played against Bangladesh. They also played the 2013 and 2015 edition of Women Twenty20 qualifier but failed to qualify in both the attempts. But it was in 2017 when they played their first ever 50-over match which came against India in 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Sri Lanka. Also,in 2017 they won women’s tournament at Southeast Asian Games.
Thailand has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
Also Read : Interview with Sornnarin Tippoch – Captain of Thailand Women’s Cricket Team
7. Papua New Guinea
Women’s One-Day International Cricket
Debut match – 12th September 2006
Women’s Twenty20 Internationals
Debut match – 7th July 2018
Last match – N/A
Captain – PaukeSiaka
Coach – Rodney Maham
Squad – Pauke Siaka, Natasha Ambo, Vicky Araa, Kaia Arua, Helen Buruka, Veru Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Kopi John, RavinaOa, Tanya Ruma, Brenda Tau, Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua, NaoniVare
A Rugby playing nation’s indulgence in cricket traces back to 2006 when they played their first match against Japan, which was a 3 match series all won by PNG. They failed to qualify for both 2011 world cup and 2013 Twenty20 world cup. In World Cup Qualifier they only won 2 matches both against Bermuda. PNG, the host of 2015 Pacific Games, remained undefeated until they lost the finals to Samoa in the first time included women’s cricket event. In 2015 World Twenty20 Qualifier they finished fifth out of eight teams.
Papua New Guinea has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
8. Canada
Debut match – 2nd September 2006
Last match – World Cup Qualifier in 2013
Captain – MuneshriPersaud
Coach – George Codrington
Squad – Muneshri Persaud, Kim Coulter, Meare Crawford, Helena Gaffney, Jennifer Gruno, Mahewish Khan, Monali Patel, SanthiyaRajaram, Kiran Samra, Saniyah Zia, Suthershini Sivanantham, Natasha Springett, Sheryl Tittlemier, Mikaela Turik
Nobody in their dream could have imagined that Canada, a country with two national sport, Ice Hockey and Lacrosse, for winter and summer respectively would have a Women Cricket Team. The Canadian women made their debut in 2006 while playing a 3 match series against Bermuda, to secure a place in World Cup Qualifier which were to be held in Ireland in 2007. Canada lost their debut series by 1-2, but the women went on and won the inaugural ICC Americas Championship in 2007 by defeating Argentina and Bermuda. And defended the title in 2009 by yet winning against Bermuda, Argentina and US, in T20 format. Although Canadian Women couldn’t qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in 2011, they successfully registered yet another win in ICC Americas T20 Women’s Championship in 2012.
Canada has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
Also Read : CanAm United Women’s Cricket Association nurturing female cricketers in America
9. Denmark
Debut match – 19th July 1989
Last match – 21st July 1999
Captain – Dorte Christensen
Coach – Erik Juul Lassen
Squad – Malene Iversen, Dorte Christensen, Karin Mikkelsen, Trine Christensen, Mette Gregersen, SussaneNeilsen, Malene Brock, IngerNeilsen, JanniJonsson, Mette Frost, Jane Jensen, Heidi Kjaer, Pernille Jonsson, Vibeke Neilsen, Marlene Slebsager, Pia Thompson
A football centric country made its cricket debut in 1983 while playing against Netherlands in its first recorded international fixture. Denmark played its 1st international ODI at the European Championship in 1989, and went on to play a total of 33 international ODI matches. Out of which they won 6 matches and lost 27. They qualified for both 1993 and 1997 World Cup. In 1993 they finished the tournament at 7th position and in 1997 they were at the 10th position. The team managed to clinch one match each in both the World Cup they played. Since 1999 Denmark has only played regional matches.
Denmark has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
10. USA
Captain – Shebani Bhaskar
Coach – Vasbert Drakes
Squad – Sindhu Sriharsha, Candacy Atkins, Claudine Beckford, Shebani Bhaskar, Nadia Gruny, Uzma Iftikhar, Sugetha Kalyaranaman Chandhrasekar, Triholder Marshall, Samantha Ramautar, Akshatha Rao, Sara Farooq, Erica Rendler, Neha Sidhuja, Onika Wallerson
United States of America, almost popular for everything it does be it discoveries, arts and cultures or sports. But I bet, nobody knew that the Baseball playing country had a women cricket team. Yes,you heard me right! In fact, United States was the country to host the first ever international cricket match in September 1844 and believe it or not it was a match between USA and Canada. Although the team never made it to ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. In their last attempt to qualify for the World Cup they could only manage to clinch one victory and lost 5 matches, hence facing failure to qualify for World Cup.
United States has achieved full Women’s Twenty20 International status after ICC’s announcement in April 2018. Any match played between Japan and another international side after 1st July would be considered a full WT20I.
Also Read : Interview with Shebani Bhaskar – Captain of USA women’s cricket team