Women's ODI World Cup
The Women's Cricket World Cup is the oldest Cricket World Cup in existence, first held in 1973 — two full years before the men's event. From those pioneering days to sold-out stadiums and global broadcasts, this is the complete history of 12 tournaments, 12 champions, and the players who built women's cricket.
Pioneers of the World Stage
The first Women's Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973, organised by the International Women's Cricket Council under the vision of Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Jack Hayward. Seven teams competed — England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, an International XI, and a Young England XI. England defeated Australia by 92 runs in the final at Edgbaston, with Enid Bakewell starring with both bat and ball.
Australia quickly established themselves as the dominant force, winning three consecutive titles in 1978, 1982, and 1988. Players like Belinda Clark, who scored the first double century in women's ODI history (229* against Denmark in 1997), elevated the standard of the women's game considerably. England and New Zealand emerged as strong challengers, with New Zealand claiming their sole title in 2000 under the captaincy of Emily Drumm.
The 2005 edition in South Africa marked a turning point for the tournament's global profile, with Australia defeating India in the final. India's emergence as a competitive force, led by Mithali Raj, brought massive new audiences to the women's game. England's victory on home soil in 2017, defeating India in a thrilling final at Lord's before a sell-out crowd, is widely regarded as the moment women's cricket broke into the sporting mainstream.
Australia's dominant 2022 campaign in New Zealand, capped by their seventh title, cemented their status as the greatest dynasty in women's cricket history. The tournament has grown from a grassroots initiative to one of the premier events in women's sport, with full ICC backing, professional broadcasting, and increasing prize money.
All 12 Tournaments
Every Women's ODI World Cup result since the inaugural 1973 edition.
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner-up | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | England | England | Australia | Won by 92 runs |
| 1978 | India | Australia | England | Won by 8 wickets |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Australia | England | Won by 3 wickets |
| 1988 | Australia | Australia | England | Won by 8 wickets |
| 1993 | England | England | New Zealand | Won by 67 runs |
| 1997 | India | Australia | New Zealand | Won by 5 wickets |
| 2000 | New Zealand | New Zealand | Australia | Won by 4 runs |
| 2005 | South Africa | Australia | India | Won by 98 runs |
| 2009 | Australia | England | New Zealand | Won by 4 wickets |
| 2013 | India | Australia | West Indies | Won by 114 runs |
| 2017 | England | England | India | Won by 9 runs |
| 2022 | New Zealand | Australia | England | Won by 71 runs |
Notable Moments
The milestones and breakthroughs that shaped the Women's World Cup.
The First World Cup in Any Cricket Format
Two years before the men's World Cup, Rachael Heyhoe Flint captained England to victory in the inaugural Women's World Cup. Enid Bakewell's all-round brilliance — 118 runs and 10 wickets in the tournament — was instrumental in England's triumph at Edgbaston.
Belinda Clark's Historic Double Century
During the 1997 World Cup in India, Australia's Belinda Clark scored 229 not out against Denmark, becoming the first player — male or female — to score a double century in a One Day International. This record stood until Rohit Sharma broke it in men's cricket in 2017.
New Zealand's Only Title
In a nail-biting final at Lincoln, New Zealand defeated Australia by just 4 runs to claim their only Women's World Cup title. Emily Drumm's captaincy and the bowling of Clare Nicholson proved decisive in one of the closest finals in tournament history.
Lord's Sells Out for Women's Final
The 2017 final between England and India at Lord's was a watershed moment for women's cricket. A sell-out crowd of nearly 27,000 watched Anya Shrubsole take 6/46 as England won by 9 runs in a dramatic finish. The BBC's broadcast reached millions, and the match is credited with transforming the public profile of women's cricket in England.
Alyssa Healy's Record Final Innings
In the 2022 final at Christchurch, Australia's Alyssa Healy scored a magnificent 170 off 138 balls, the highest individual score in any World Cup final (men's or women's). Her partnership with Rachael Haynes powered Australia to 356/5, and they cruised to their seventh title with a 71-run victory over England.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first Women's Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973, two years before the first Men's World Cup in 1975. It was organised by the International Women's Cricket Council and featured seven teams. England won the inaugural tournament, defeating Australia in the final at Edgbaston. This makes the Women's Cricket World Cup the oldest World Cup event in cricket.
Australia has won the most Women's ODI World Cups with 7 titles (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022). England is second with 4 titles (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017). New Zealand has won once, in 2000. Australia's dominance across nearly five decades makes them the most successful team in women's World Cup history.
Debbie Hockley of New Zealand holds the record for the most runs in Women's ODI World Cup history with 1,501 runs across multiple tournaments spanning from 1982 to 2000. Mithali Raj of India and Charlotte Edwards of England are also among the all-time leading run-scorers. The highest individual score in a World Cup final is 170 by Alyssa Healy (Australia) against England in 2022.