52 years of glory: Relive precious Women’s World Cup journey from 1973 to 2025

The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup is now one of the premier events in the world of sport, but it all started more than fifty years ago. In 1973, England cricket captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint and businessman Jack Hayward dreamed up the tournament that still today gathers female cricketers on one stage. Interestingly, they held the first Women's World Cup before the inception of the men's tournament just two years later in 1975.

1973 (England) – Winner: England

England hosted the first Women's World Cup of Cricket with seven teams. The inaugural World Cup was held in a round-robin format and began the international ethos of women's cricket. Enid Bakewell scored a match-winning 118 runs in the final fixture against Australia. England won the inaugural title, beating their arch-rivals by 92 runs.

1978 (India) – Winner: Australia

India hosted their first Women's World Cup, which included Australia, England, and New Zealand, who also participated in the tournament. This meant that India made their debut in front of rabid fans at home. The last group match became a shootout as Australia defeated England in Hyderabad. With timely batting, Australia won its first title.

1982 (New Zealand) – Winner: Australia

New Zealand played host to the world for the first knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup. In this edition, there were five teams that included an International XI. The final in Christchurch was a thrilling match between Australia and England. In chasing down 152, Australia achieved the target with three wickets left to win their second consecutive trophy.

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1988 (Australia) – Winner: Australia

Australia staged its very first Women’s World Cup and did not disappoint its fans when it was all finished. This time, new teams Ireland and the Netherlands were also part of the World Cup for the very first time. Australia was clearly dominant throughout the tournament and advanced to the final with ease. At the MCG, they crushed England by eight wickets and secured a hat-trick of titles.

1993 (England) – Winner: England

Twenty years have elapsed since the World Cup returned to England, and with eight nations participating. Denmark and the West Indies were also making their World Cup debuts, so they provided the tournament with a different flavour. Australia failed to make the final for the first time, leaving hosts England and New Zealand to meet in the final at Lord's. Jan Brittin steered England with a calm innings to win the match and record their second title..

1997 (India) – Winner: Australia

This edition went down in the history of women's cricket with a record eleven teams participating. It was great to see teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa represented. Although Australia and New Zealand continued strongly through the knockout phase, setting up another final, New Zealand's Debbie Hockley's fine player went basically to waste as Australia dominated. The Aussies lifted their fourth title, and Belinda Clark's 229* in the group stage was a new world record.

2000 (New Zealand) – Winner: New Zealand

After many years of final heartbreak, the White Ferns finally got their moment of redemption at home. The final had them face their arch-rivals, Australia, with a passionate Auckland crowd in attendance. Belinda Clark had a brilliant 91 that almost took the game away, but the Kiwi women held onto their nerves. They won by just four runs, achieving their first and only World Cup to date.

2005 (South Africa) – Winner: Australia

Women’s World Cup was held in Africa for the first time. The Indian team, captained by Mithali Raj, had created a fan following by reaching their first final; however, Australia outclassed them from the very beginning to the very end. Karen Rolton scored a superb unbeaten 107 to lift Australia to their fifth championship title.

2009 (Australia) – Winner: England

Australia recently hosted some exciting matches in the Women’s World Cup between the top eight nations again. At the top of the table were England and New Zealand, reviving their old rivalry in the final. And Nicki Shaw was the star with the ball, taking 4/34 to send the Kiwis packing. England showed poise and finished the game for a four-wicket win, and hence became three-time champions.

2013 (India) – Winner: Australia

India once again hosted the tournament, which had many highlights, including the emergence of new challengers. West Indies reached their first Women’s World Cup final, which had many unexpected results. At the end of the day, Australia demonstrated its championship pedigree, and the tournament concluded with Australia's sixth overall title and continued dominance of the women's game.

2017 (England) – Winner: England

By the end of this edition, fans experienced one of the most memorable finals in history at Lord’s. India had a fairytale journey, capped by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171* in the semifinal, that captured the attention of many around the globe. However, England on the day held their nerve thanks to Anya Shrubsole’s incredible spell of bowling (6/46). In dramatic circumstances, England, the host nation, just managed to beat India by nine runs, and they regained the World Cup.

2022 (New Zealand) – Winner: Australia

Australia had a stylish return to the limelight after a few years in retreat. They dominated all the way from the group stages and were never challenged in the tournament, not even by debutants Bangladesh. Alyssa Healy stunned everyone with an unconquerable 170, a record high score in the final of the World Cup. Australia took home the title for the seventh time, the most by any side in the tournament's history.