The countdown has begun. In 2026, England will once again become the epicentre of women’s cricket, hosting the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. For the first time, 12 teams will vie for the coveted trophy, and the final will take place at the hallowed Lord’s Cricket Ground, a venue seared into English cricketing folklore since that unforgettable afternoon in July 2017.
The 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final remains one of the sport’s defining moments. England, cheered on by a packed Lord’s crowd, edged out India by nine runs in a nerve-jangling finish. It was a victory that not only brought a trophy home but also transformed the landscape of women’s cricket in the country.
Sophia Dunkley, then a young cricketer on the cusp of her own international journey, was among the thousands in the stands that day. “In 2017, I was seated in the stand, I think somewhere over there on the right,” Dunkley recalled at last week’s T20 World Cup launch event at Lord’s, her eyes lighting up as she gestured towards the very spot. “What a great occasion it was.”
For Dunkley, the experience was more than just a spectator’s thrill, it was a spark that ignited her ambitions. “Having watched 2017, there’s no other kind of bigger motivation than to want to do it myself and inspire lots of young girls and boys to play cricket themselves,” she said. “So, it would be incredibly special. And yeah, something that you kind of dream of growing up.”
“It was really inspiring for me as a player, coming through the pathways and really wanting to be involved in that team,” Dunkley reflected. “To have a home World Cup, to have watched it in the crowd and to have a competition like that to look forward to next year is really, really special.”
Sophie Ecclestone, now the world’s top-ranked bowler in both white-ball formats, was also present at Lord’s in 2017-albeit as a newly minted England international, fresh out of school. “My memories were of the day that I was sat up there watching with Ellie Threlkeld, actually. I’d just finished school,” Ecclestone recounted with a smile. “It was great to watch the girls win here.”
Despite having played in World Cups across the globe, the 2026 edition holds unique significance for Ecclestone. “I feel like I’ve played World Cups all around the world now, and it’s going to be so exciting to play at home, play here at Lord’s, play at Old Trafford. I think it’s really exciting,” she said, her anticipation palpable.
The return of a women’s ICC tournament to England is more than a sporting event, it’s a statement about the growth and ambition of the women’s game. The expanded 12-team format underscores the global rise of women’s cricket, while the choice of Lord’s for the final brings a sense of poetic symmetry.
The launch event at Lord’s, attended by cricketing luminaries and rising stars alike, was a testament to the sport’s growing stature. The buzz is unmistakable, not just among players but across the cricketing community.
For Dunkley and Ecclestone, the prospect of lifting a trophy at Lord’s is about more than personal glory. It’s about legacy. “To walk out on the pitch for England next year would be incredibly special,” Dunkley said. “You want to inspire lots of young girls and boys to play cricket themselves.”
The England side would be keen to repeat their T20 World Cup Triumph next year, adding another trophy in their cabinet, which would be sitting at the top of their priority list.
As England prepares to welcome the world in 2026, the echoes of 2017 will serve as both inspiration and motivation. For Dunkley, Ecclestone, and their teammates, the opportunity to write a new chapter at home is tantalisingly close. For the fans, the promise of another summer of cricketing drama at Lord’s is reason enough to start counting down the days.
The stage is set. The excitement is building. And once again, the eyes of the cricketing world will turn to England-where dreams can, and do, come true.
(Quotes sourced from ICC)
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