Why is 2022 a Special Year for Women’s Cricket around the World?

We are into one of the most eventful years of Women’s Cricket-2022 with some major tournaments lined up:

1. Women’s Ashes: Jan 27- Feb 19
2. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup: March 4- April 3
3. Commonwealth Games (Cricket): July 29- August 7

…. along with a number of bilateral series as well

While it looks to be an action-packed year for the best teams heading into the World Cup in early March followed by Commonwealth Games in late July, one of the oldest cricket rivals Australia and England start their year early as they compete in what is known as the biggest cricket competition, The Ashes from January 27.

Talking specifically about the English side, after a disappointing Ashes for the men’s side, the women’s team would be looking to give a good fight back as they tour the country whose women’s team holds the most number of Ashes as well as World Cup titles. Calling for a ‘bold’ approach, England’s captain Heather Knight last month said that the team would have to ‘fight fire with fire’ to get hold of the Ashes for the first time since 2014.

The point-based series consists of an only test with 4 points on offer for the winner (2 each in case of a draw) followed by two points to grab for each of the three T20Is and then three ODIs.

Further to the all-format Ashes which ends on February 19, the England side gear themselves up for defending the ICC Women’s World Cup title in New Zealand which they won after beating India at Lord’s in 2017. The World Cup is scheduled from March 4 onwards and the English side takes on Australia yet again in their first match on March 5.

This would be followed by the city of Birmingham in their country hosting the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games which sees women’s cricket making its debut in the game. Being the host for the games which begins with the opening ceremony on July 28 with the sports action starting the next day, England would be looking forward to keeping the victory at home. Consisting of 8 teams divided into a group of four each, fans would get to witness the T20I format of the sport. The host team has to go through a tough group stage as they are placed with South Africa, New Zealand, and a team that is yet to be decided in Group B while India, Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados make up Group A.

Apart from these three major tournaments, there is a lot lined up for the second-best T20I team of women’s cricket including the second edition of their franchise cricket competition, The Hundred. Thus, the England women’s cricket team heads into a hectic yet rewarding 2022.