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.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met players of Sri Lanka's 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning squad during his Colombo visit. He stated their huge victory long ago still gives inspiration to cricket lovers across the globe.

PM Modi is on a two-day official tour of Sri Lanka. He reached Colombo on Friday evening to have vital talks with Sri Lankan leaders and to ink some key pacts between the two nations.

On Saturday, amidst his hectic schedule, PM Modi spared time to greet some of the renowned cricket players of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup team.
Sri Lanka created history when they won the Cricket World Cup in 1996. They defeated Australia in the final match at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, in Pakistan. Australia had posted 241 runs, but Sri Lanka chased the runs with ease, losing just three wickets. Aravinda de Silva was the hero of the match, without being bowled out, scoring 107 runs.

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PM Modi congratulated the team and stated that their win brought happiness and pride to millions of cricket fans. On social media, he posted, "Cricket connect! Delighted to interact with members of the 1996 Sri Lankan cricket team, which won the World Cup that year. This team captured the imagination of countless sports lovers!"

Several popular Sri Lankan players attended

Cricket connect!

Delighted to interact with members of the 1996 Sri Lankan cricket team, which won the World Cup that year. This team captured the imagination of countless sports lovers! pic.twitter.com/2ZprMmOtz6

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2025

• Aravinda de Silva
• Sanath Jayasuriya
• Chaminda Vaas
• Kumar Dharmasena
• Upul Chandana
• Marvan Atapattu
• Romesh Kaluwitharana

They presented PM Modi with a special gift to commemorate the moment.

Cricket Builds Friendship

Cricket has always united India and Sri Lanka. This gathering served as an example of how sports can foster close international friendships. Following the meeting, Romesh Kaluwitharana said, "India has always assisted Sri Lanka, particularly during difficult times."

The players praised PM Modi and expressed their happiness at meeting him. Aravinda de Silva stated, "PM Modi is respected worldwide." Sanath Jayasuriya added that it was a wonderful experience and the Prime Minister had talked about his work after becoming the PM in 2014. Chaminda Vaas was amazed at how much Modi was aware of cricket. "He discussed our World Cup campaign in depth. He obviously keeps the game in mind," Vaas added.

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Photos and videos of the meeting were shared online by PM Modi’s team. Many people from both countries reacted with joy, calling it a special and emotional moment. Fans said it showed how cricket can bring people together. Apart from the cricket match, PM Modi’s visit is focused on building stronger relations between the two countries. He will discuss trade, energy, tourism, and cultural projects with Sri Lankan leaders.

PM Modi’s meeting with the 1996 World Cup-winning team was a warm and respectful gesture. It reminded everyone how sports, especially cricket, can unite people across borders. The visit was not only political it was also about the celebration of heroes, remembering the past, and fostering closer friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the relocation of the upcoming Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. This decision follows the recent suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the ICC due to administrative uncertainty.

The ICC took action on November 10, suspending SLC with immediate effect, citing a breach of obligations as a member, particularly in managing its affairs autonomously and without government interference. The move came in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe dismissing the entire SLC board following the national team’s disappointing performance in the World Cup, where they finished in the ninth position out of ten teams and failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Despite Ranasinghe appointing former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga to head an interim committee for SLC, the Sri Lankan Court of Appeal issued a two-week stay order on this decision, reinstating the SLC regime led by President Shammi Silva. Subsequently, the Sri Lankan parliament’s resolution seeking the removal of the cricket board played a pivotal role in the ICC’s decision to relocate the Under-19 World Cup.

Under-19 World Cup Relocated to South Africa Amid Sri Lanka Cricket Turmoil

In the aftermath of the upheaval within Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC has decided to move the upcoming edition of the Under-19 World Cup to South Africa, as reported by Cricbuzz. The decision was reached during an ongoing ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad.

According to the report, the ICC has affirmed its decision to suspend the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after thorough deliberation. Despite the suspension being upheld, the ICC assures that cricket involving the Sri Lankan team will proceed without interruption.

“It was a unanimous decision by the board that the suspension cannot be lifted. Cricket in the country will continue as normal,” a source informed Cricbuzz.

Originally slated to take place in Sri Lanka in January and February of the next year, the Under-19 World Cup was set to be the country’s third hosting, following the competitions in 2000 and 2006. With the relocation, South Africa steps in as the new host, and the tournament is expected to feature 16 participating teams.

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England are in a unique position coming in as defending champs after sneaking through on boundary count. As a white-ball side, England were never an inspiring team. Barring their two T20 World Cups the England side did not have much to show until their disaster in 2015. Following 2015 though, England was a changed side.

Eoin Morgan took matters into his own hands and built a core group that has now made them favorites in every event they head to. The core group stayed on with Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler forming a new era in the England Cricket Team. With the ball, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, and Adil Rashid were the ones who kept things going for a generation.

Together England won an ODI World Cup and two T20 World Cups and are now coming in as defending champions. They have easily been the best white-ball side in the last six years, with a side peaking and coming in as favorites in each tournament.

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In the four years between the last World Cup and this though there have been a few changes. Eoin Morgan has retired, Jason Roy has been dropped, Jofra Archer remains injured and Ben Stokes went into ODI retirement and came back.

In Harry Brook and Sam Curran England have found two talents who can carry them into the next generation. The old guard still remains and this could be their last dance together. The old guard has some rustiness around them as well. Ben Stokes back strongly from retirement is taking part as a batter only. Joe Root has hardly played ODI cricket since 2019 but remains their best player spin and a crucial part of their line-up.

Mark Wood and Chris Woakes did not play too much cricket after the Ashes but remain really good prospects with their experience. With only 3 players younger than 29, England are full of experience. The old guard mentioned above though are in their 30s and will be touching their late 30s by the next World Cup. As a result, this World Cup will definitely mark a change in guard. For the current generation though, the World Cup remains a chance to prove that they are the best despite being four years older than they were in the previous edition and on the wrong side of 30.