Brief History of USA Women’s National Cricket Team
The United States of America (USA) women’s cricket team represents the country in international women’s cricket matches. Although the United States has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1965, the team made its international debut in 2009.
Historical highlights – USA Women’s National Cricket Team
The USA women’s team made its international debut against Brazil at the 2009 Americas Women’s Championship, hosted in Fort Lauderdale.
The early years of the women’s national team were marked by conflict with the sport’s governing body, the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA). Leading up to the 2011 World Cup Qualifier, it was reported that USACA had been reprimanded by the ICC for its lack of support for the women’s team and failure to meet administrative deadlines for the tournament. Thirteen players also threatened to withdraw from the national squad over gender inequality in tour stipends. USACA failed to hold any national women’s events from 2011 to 2016, prompting the ICC to intervene and establish a national combine.
In April 2018, the ICC granted Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) status to all its members. Consequently, all Twenty20 matches played between the United States women and another international side after July 1, 2018, have been recognized as WT20Is.
In May 2022, the ICC announced the United States as one of five women’s sides to gain Women’s One Day International (ODI) status. The other four teams are the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, and Thailand.
Tournament Highlights – USA Women’s National Cricket Team
ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier:
In 2011, the ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier was hosted by Bangladesh where a total of 10 teams participated. The USA was placed in group A with South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. The States managed to win only 1 match against Zimbabwe and faced losses against all other teams from the group. Thus, the USA got fourth position with 2 points only, and they didn’t get a chance to play at the ICC Women’s World Cup.
In 2019, the United States was placed in Group A with Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, and hosts Scotland in the tournament. Unfortunately, the United States faced defeats in all three of their group-stage matches, resulting in a last-place finish in their group and preventing them from advancing to the playoffs.
In 2022, the ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier was hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 8 teams participated in the tournament. The USA was a part of group A with Bangladesh, Ireland and Scotland. In that tournament, they were unable to win any group stage match, finishing at the last position in the points table.
In the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, the United States was placed in Group A with Sri Lanka, Scotland, Thailand, and Uganda. Despite competing in four group-stage matches, the United States was unable to secure a single win and finished at the bottom of their group, preventing them from advancing to the playoffs.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier:
In 2019, the ICC Women’s Americas Qualifier was hosted by the United States, in this tournament the hosts played their best cricket and outclassed every other team who participated in this tournament, winning their first major tournament, and got the ticket for the 2019 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
In 2021, the ICC Women’s Americas Qualifier was hosted by Mexico. In this tournament, a total of 4 teams participated: the USA, Brazil, Canada, and Argentina. The United States won 5 of their 6 group matches and topped the group stage with 10 points, qualifying for the 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
In 2023, the ICC Women’s Americas Qualifier was hosted by the United States. A total of 4 teams participated in this tournament: USA, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. The States dominated the tournament, winning all of their group matches, finishing at the first place with 12 points, and qualifying for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.