What was once defined by clothes, by cultural barriers, by social exclusion and demeaning comments and struggles for establishing a name in the world of sports has now entered a huge stage in world sports with being included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games to be held at Birmingham. Along with two other sports, Women’s Twenty20 cricket will be included in the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be hosted by England. All eight matchdays will be held at Edgbaston cricket ground. This is going to be a huge boost to world cricket and a great milestone in women’s cricket.
Cricket was last played at the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 when the men’s cricket was played in the 50 over format and the competition was won by South Africa. The competition included huge names like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting. And now for the first time in history, Women’s cricket will be entering the games too! The 2022 games will be held from 27th July to 7th August 2022 and over 4500 athletes will be contesting in the games. It is much more than just inclusion or even an achievement. It is a much-awaited dream, an aspiration, a revolution, a step towards higher quality and professionalism and a runway of opportunities and dreams!
This joint bid by the International cricket council (ICC) and the England and Wales cricket board to include women’s Twenty20 in 2022 event has only attracted praises and appreciation and rightly deserved so. Eight teams will be playing at Edgbaston and will be looking forward to marking their footsteps positively in this historic event in this historic moment!
“To expose the women’s game to such a different global audience, and to be part of such a prestigious event such as the Commonwealth Games- it is a huge boost at a time of real momentum”
Amy Satterthwaite, the White Ferns captain had this to say!
Women’s cricket has always been developing and more than its structure and facilities, the quest has been more about accepting it over the globe and giving it the professional touch that it truly deserves. Moreover, this step by the ICC and the ECB is certainly momentous and mammoth! Satterthwaite further added, “Having the opportunity to play against countries we currently don’t usually compete with will be unique and only a good thing for the growth of the game”.
This is not just a career-enhancing opportunity for already established cricketers, it is a move that will provide the base and an amazing learning experience for the young cricketers who have just started their careers, competing at the global level with such supremely talented and world-class teams that too in the most trending and challenging format of cricket- T20s, will only help in the growth of the game. Moreover, the ICC has taken up the responsibility to make sure the competition sticks to the rules and regulations of cricket and abides by the terms and conditions of the ICC and cricket is played in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
Speaking on behalf of the ICC, Manu Sawhney the chief executive of the ICC said “This is a truly historic moment for women’s cricket and for the global cricket community, who were united in their support of this bid”. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Birmingham will be responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Games, 2022. And beaming with pride the CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “Today is a historic day and we are delighted to welcome the sport of cricket back to the Commonwealth Games”.
The inclusion of cricket along with Beach Volleyball and Para Table tennis will also boost the total number of medal events for women to 135, two more than the men in a multi-sport event.
What once seemed like a mere part of history is now creating history and there is no looking back for the game of cricket from here. 4500 athletes, 19 sports, global competition and a stage like no other! The CWG 2022 will surely be a treat to sports enthusiasts and now cricket lovers too! This decision has not only impressed the upcoming and present players but also the former players who have dedicated their heart and soul for the game of cricket and have seen it stand tall and grow from scratch, emerge from difficulties and have been desperate to receive what it has always deserved. Here is what the stakeholders of cricket have to say about this momentous move!
A welcome move for the women’s game. The growing popularity of the sport; still requires consistent backing from all quarters. A very good decision @thecgf #Birmingham2022 #CommonwealthGames @ICC https://t.co/PfYfxIuscQ
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) August 13, 2019
This is brilliant! Cricket for Women in the Commonwealth Games 2022 https://t.co/Qg6JWpEsKF
— Alex Blackwell (@AlexBlackwell2) August 13, 2019
Amazing news announced this morning – Commonwealth games here we come! #B2022 https://t.co/KlglWF1pDz
— Natalie Sciver (@natsciver) August 13, 2019
Team configurations/numbers to be decided still but what an amazing announcement that the Birmingham 2022 Comm Games will have a Women’s T20 Comp! 🥇🥈🥉 https://t.co/8XIA5Kh6NX
— Mel 'MJ' Jones (@meljones_33) August 13, 2019
It’s happening 🙌🏼 Thanks to everyone who supported getting women’s T/20 cricket into the commonwealth games for the first time #B2022 pic.twitter.com/6qzaYHmUIr
— Suzie Bates (@SuzieWBates) August 13, 2019
Team Female cricket wishes all the participants of the CWG All the very best and may the world of sports flourish in the true spirit of sportsmanshiap!
The 22 Yard stretch that molded me, is what I hold sacred. A cricketer weaving life’s innings into words. A Rohit Sharma Admirer always. I believe writing and cricket aren’t passions, but ways of life, so truly living the dream!