8 Defining Moments in the World of Women’s Cricket in 2021

1. India eves play their first Pink Ball Test

Pink Ball Test between India and Australia
Pink Ball Test between India and Australia

 

India played their first-ever Pink Ball Test against Australia from September 30 to October 3, 2021. Though the match ended in a draw, both the teams put together strong performances. India’s opening bat Shafali Verma became the youngest woman cricketer and fourth overall to score twin half-centuries on Test debut.

2. 11-year-old Samaira Dharnidharka make her international debut for the UAE

Samaira Dharnidharka. PC: Female Cricket
Samaira Dharnidharka. PC: Female Cricket

 

Samaira Dharnidharka became the fifth-youngest woman player to make her international debut. She made her debut for the UAE at the age of 11 years and 325 days. She played an instrumental role in helping her side advance for the ICC World T20 Global Qualifiers. The right-arm seamer scalped five wickets in three matches during the ICC World T20 Asia Qualifiers. To date, she has featured in seven T20Is having made her debut in 2019.

3. India’s Sonali Chandok Vig makes her T20I debut for Canada

Sonali Vig Batting for Canada Women's Cricket Team
Sonali Vig Batting for Canada Women’s Cricket Team

 

After donning many roles in the Indian cricketing circuit, Sonali Chandok Vig took a flight to Canada to realize her dream of playing international cricket. The former Punjab player and Mumbai selector made her debut for Canada in 2021 during the ICC World T20 America Qualifiers. She became the 10th oldest woman cricketer to make her T20I debut at the age of 46 years and 12 days.

4. Zimbabwe, Thailand, and USA make their ODI debuts

Zimbabwe, Thailand, and USA made their ODI debuts in 2021. While Zimbabwe started their ODI journey by playing a bilateral series against Ireland, Thailand and USA commenced their ODI journey by participating in the ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifiers. Zimbabwe lost the three-match ODI series to Ireland 1-3. Thailand, on the other hand, have won three out of their four ODIs, while USA are yet to register a win. USA have played two ODIs so far.

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5. Mary-Anne Musonda becomes first Zimbabwe’s woman centurion

Mary Anne Musonda scores first ever CENTURY in Women's ODIs from Zimbabwe
Mary Anne Musonda scores first-ever CENTURY in Women’s ODIs from Zimbabwe

 

Zimbabwe’s captain Mary-Anne Musonda smashed an unbeaten century against Ireland on October 5, 2021 during Zimbabwe’s first-ever ODI. Coming in at number four, she muscled 103 runs off 114 balls, including nine boundaries. With that century, she became the first Zimbabwean woman to score an international ton.

6. Alice Capsey wins the inaugural women’s young player award

Alice Capsey for Oval Invincibles
Alice Capsey for Oval Invincibles

 

England’s Alice Capsey was just 16 years old when she played her first-ever match in the Hundred. Representing the Oval Invincibles, who went on to win the inaugural title, the all-rounder made useful contributions with both bat and ball. She mustered 150 runs and scalped 10 wickets. She won the women’s young player award in 2021 for her performance.

7. Eileen Ash becomes the oldest Test cricketer passed away at 110

Eileen Ash - Oldest Female Cricketer
Eileen Ash – Oldest Female Cricketer

Eileen Ash, the former English cricketer, passed away on December 3, 2021. She was the oldest Test cricketer to have lived. She lived for 110 years. Born on October 30, 1911, Ash made her international debut against Australia in 1937. She was the 18th English woman cricketer to have played Test cricket for England. She featured in seven Tests.

8. Amy Hunter becomes the youngest centurion in international cricket

Amy Hunter - Youngest Centurion in International Cricket
Amy Hunter – Youngest Centurion in International Cricket

 

Ireland’s Amy Hunter broke India’s Mithali Raj’s record to become the youngest cricketer to score an international century. Hunter achieved the feat on her 16th birthday. She hammered 121 not out off 127 balls against Zimbabwe on October 11, 2021 in Harare.

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