With just 50 days to go until the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, over 236,000* children from over 1,350 schools across the UK today picked up a bat and ball as part of Schools Cricket Day – the largest single-day cricket participation event in UK history.
The landmark moment marks a major milestone on the road to this summer’s must-see tournament, which gets underway on 12 June at Edgbaston in Birmingham when England take on Sri Lanka in the opening match.
From first-time batters and bowlers in playgrounds, to competitive matches on sports fields, girls and boys across the country came together to play, learn and be inspired, as schools across England and Wales truly catch the spirit of the game.
At the heart of the celebrations, England international superstar Heather Knight joined over 200 girls and boys at a vibrant cricket festival hosted at Raynes Park Sports Ground, London. Taking part in cricket drills and matches, as well as meeting aspiring young players, Knight helped bring the excitement of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to life.
Knight was also joined by former cricketers Michael Atherton and Ebony Rainford-Brent, Sky Sports presenter Hannah Wilkes and Surrey player Emily Burke, as they were put through their paces by children from schools across London and Surrey, giving young people a first-hand experience of the game and encouraging more to take the next step into regular cricket this summer, sparking a lasting interest in the game.
Previous World Cup winners Alex Hartley, Lydia Greenway and Jess Jonassen, and Hampshire Cricket women’s captain Georgia Adams and Gloucestershire CCC’s women’s captain Liv Daniels also joined school events in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup host cities, as powerful role models actively inspiring girls to believe that cricket is a game for them.
Schools Cricket Day is part of the ECB’s ambitions to harness the power of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales to build a legacy that inspires the next generation of girls to say cricket is a game for them. This year alone, through various initiatives and programmes, the ECB is aiming to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game’s administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective, which will empower young girls to volunteer and make change at their local cricket clubs.
The day also features bespoke resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner, UNICEF, through its “Rights in Play” programme. The games, which were integrated into the day’s activities, focused on increasing understanding of child rights through play and participation in cricket. They sit alongside a range of cricket activity ideas on a dedicated schools’ resource hub.
Speaking at the Raynes Park event, England Women’s player Heather Knight said: “Cricket gave me opportunities I could never have imagined growing up, and days like today are where it all starts. For so many young people, this will be their first experience of cricket and hopefully the beginning of a lifelong connection with the game.
“I hope the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup inspires many more girls and boys to pick up a bat and ball and follow in our footsteps – it’s important the next generation see that cricket is a sport for everyone.”
The former England captain has been a champion for state school cricket for more than 15 years, with her journey from a state school playground to the international stage highlighting the impact of grassroots programmes and the importance of access to the sport through schools and learning.
ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah, said: “It is fantastic to see the excitement building across the UK ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Schools Cricket Day, marking 50 days to go, has brought thousands of children into the game, many of whom may be taking their very first steps in cricket today.
“Expanding this year’s tournament from 10 to 12 teams reflects our commitment to growing the women’s game globally and creating more opportunities for players and fans alike.
“We look forward to welcoming these young participants and their families to the stadiums this summer, where they can watch their heroes and be inspired to dream bigger.”
ECB Head of Strategic Growth, Gemma Barton, said: “Moments like this show how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. It’s not just about the summer ahead, it’s about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game.”
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