Nine editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup have provided breathtaking action for nearly two decades.
Here is a look back at each chapter of the tournament’s story so far.
2009
Winner: England
Runners-up: New Zealand
The inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was held in England as an eight-team tournament at the same time as the men’s tournament.
England, Australia, New Zealand and India made the semi-finals in the first chapter of those sides’ long history at the top of the shortest format.
England and New Zealand faced off in the final at Lord’s, where the hosts chased down a modest target of 87 in 17 overs to win the first-ever title – and their only one to date.
New Zealand’s Aimee Watkins finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer while England’s Holly Colvin topped the wicket-taking charts. Claire Taylor was named Player of the Tournament.
2010
Winner: Australia
Runners-up: New Zealand
The second edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup saw the emergence of Australia as the dominant force in the women’s game.
Hosted in the West Indies, the home heroes marched all the way to the semi-finals after defeating England in the pool stages with Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor announcing themselves on the world stage.
Australia defeated New Zealand in the final by just three runs to claim their first title in Barbados at Kensington Oval, with a 19-year-old Ellyse Perry taking three for 18.
Nicola Browne was recognised as Player of the Tournament, with Sara McGlashan and Diana David finishing as the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker respectively.
2012
Winner: Australia
Runners-up: England
Sri Lanka hosted the third edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where Australia retained their title in dramatic fashion.
A strong blend of youth and experience guided them to a second title, while England, the West Indies and New Zealand continued to challenge but fell short at pivotal moments.
Australia overcame England by four runs in a thrilling final which went down to the final delivery.
Player of the Tournament Charlotte Edwards topped the run charts and Julie Hunter, who claimed a brilliant five for 22 against the West Indies in the last four, finished as the leading wicket-taker.
2014
Winner: Australia
Runners-up: England
An expanded competition saw 10 teams take part, with Ireland and hosts Bangladesh debuting.
England and Australia again dominated their respective groups, setting up a repeat of the 2012 final, while South Africa reached the semi-finals for the first time.
Australia convincingly secured a third successive title, comfortably chasing down a modest target of 106 in just 15 overs in Mirpur as England fell at the last hurdle again.
Meg Lanning finished as the leading run-scorer in her first tournament as permanent captain and Player of the Tournament Anya Shrubsole claimed the most wickets.
2016
Winner: West Indies
Runners-up: Australia
One of the most thrilling editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup took place in India, where Australia’s dominance was broken by a West Indies side who lifted the trophy for the first time.
New Zealand returned to the semi-finals and defeated Australia in the group stages – White Ferns bowlers Leigh Kasperek and Sophie Devine shared the leading wicket-taker award with Deandra Dottin.
In a gripping final at Eden Gardens, Australia posted a competitive total of 148 to set up a nervy chase.
In reply, 18-year-old Hayley Matthews put together a record-breaking 120-run opening stand alongside captain and Player of the Tournament Stafanie Taylor, guiding West Indies to an eight-wicket victory with three balls to spare.
It was a momentous day for the West Indies, as the men also lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 that evening.
2018
Winner: Australia
Runners-up: England
This was a landmark year as it was the first time the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was played as a standalone event, rather than being joined to the men’s schedule.
The tournament also saw the rise of India, highlighted by a famous group-stage victory over Australia and Harmanpreet Kaur’s stunning century in a win over New Zealand.
But Australia bounced back strongly when it mattered most, defeating the West Indies by 71 runs in the semi-final and England by eight wickets in the final to clinch their fourth title.
Player of the Tournament Alyssa Healy starred with the bat while Deandra Dottin showcased her all-round brilliance as the leading wicket-taker.
2020
Winner: Australia
Runners-up: India
The 2020 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia saw the hosts come out on top in a historic final.
The crowning moment came at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, when a record attendance of 86,174 watched a marquee clash between Australia and India.
Backed by passionate home support, Australia delivered a masterclass, posting 184 before bowling out India for 99 to seal their fifth title.
Player of the Tournament Beth Mooney and Megan Schutt topped the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts respectively, forming the backbone of Australia’s dominant campaign.
2023
Winner: Australia
Runners-up: South Africa
First-time hosts South Africa made it to their maiden final but Australia once again came out on top.
The group stages saw Muneeba Ali become the first Pakistan batter to make a T20I century as she scored 102 in a win over Ireland, while England and India joined the Proteas and the reigning champions in the last four.
Two tight semi-finals were settled by just five and six runs respectively and the final saw
the Australians post 156 batting first. South Africa only managed 137 in response, handing Australia their sixth T20 World Cup title.
Laura Wolvaardt finished as the leading run-scorer while England spinner Sophie Ecclestone led the wicket-taking charts with 11. Ashleigh Gardner, who took five for 12 in a win over New Zealand, was named Player of the Tournament.
2024
Winner: New Zealand
Runners-up: South Africa
The most recent edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup saw New Zealand become the fourth different team to lift the trophy.
Scotland made their debut at the tournament, which marked a historic first with neither England nor Australia featuring in the final. England were eliminated in the group stages while Australia went down to South Africa by eight wickets in the semi-finals.
Led by Sophie Devine, New Zealand capped an excellent tournament with a commanding 32-run victory over South Africa in the final to secure their first ICC title in 24 years.
Laura Wolvaardt finished as the leading run-scorer of the tournament once again, while Amelia Kerr, who was also named Player of the Tournament, ended as leading wicket-taker.
Bearded Angler
Women had been playing cricket as far back as the 1700s. Villages in Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire held their own local and inter-village tournaments. Prizes for the games included lace gloves and barrels of ale.
criss cross
Sport Trivia: What is the sound that traditionally starts the Comrades Marathon? Answer: The sound of a cock crowing. Prior to 1948, a regular starter\’s gun was used but then a new tradition was started when the race official at the time, Max Trimborn, loudly imitated a cock\’s crow. This tradition has been continued with a recording of Trimborn being used to start the race.