As the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup approaches, the conversation surrounding the future of women’s cricket has shifted dramatically. Initially, the relocation of the tournament from Bangladesh to the UAE left players, fans, and families heartbroken. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana openly expressed the disappointment felt not just by the players, but also by their loved ones, highlighting the emotional impact of the decision. Standing in solidarity with her are Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and England’s Heather Knight, who both understand what hosting a tournament on home soil can do for the visibility and growth of the sport.
Athapaththu reminisces about the time Sri Lanka defeated India in front of a packed Dambulla stadium, a match that stirred the rivalry between the two nations and sent a strong message about the potential of Sri Lankan women’s cricket. Meanwhile, Knight knows the feeling all too well, having led England to victory in the 2017 World Cup at a sold-out Lord’s, a game that sparked widespread attention and growth for women’s cricket in her country.
With the sport on an upward trajectory, Knight, who has become a vocal advocate for better governance, stresses the need for careful planning to nurture the women’s game during this crucial growth phase. “The men’s game is in a place where calendars are packed, there’s so much going on, and the women’s game is in its infancy of the league culture starting. If governed properly, this can help shape women’s cricket over the next five to ten years,” Knight remarked in a press conference alongside the other captains.
One of the biggest concerns highlighted during the press conference was the growing tension between franchise and international cricket. The rise of domestic leagues like The Hundred, Women’s Premier League (WPL), and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) has offered new financial opportunities but has also created scheduling conflicts. Knight, for instance, had to miss part of the WPL season due to national duties, which raises questions about how to balance franchise cricket with international commitments.
Australian captain Alyssa Healy also chimed in, emphasizing the importance of creating designated windows for franchise tournaments to avoid these clashes. She warned of the danger of losing top international players to lucrative franchise contracts if the calendar is not managed properly. Healy’s point was clear: “You don’t want international cricket to suffer; both can grow together if governed well.” This call for balance is not just about preserving the sport’s integrity but also ensuring the best players remain available for both formats.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur has also been advocating for more Test matches and multi-team tournaments, like the Champions Trophy, to be added to the women’s calendar. This aligns with the expansion plans for the T20 World Cup, which will see 12 teams competing in the next edition, growing to 16 by 2030. Additionally, cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is another sign of the sport’s growing global relevance.
Sophie Devine, one of New Zealand’s most seasoned cricketers, added her voice to the conversation. Despite her 18-year career, Devine has yet to play a red-ball game, and she echoed Harmanpreet’s sentiment for more multi-format series. She sees this as crucial for the relevance of international cricket, advocating for a tiered system where lower-ranked teams also get the opportunity to play more competitive games.
For players like Kathryn Bryce of Scotland, who represent countries where cricket is still semi-professional, the growth of the sport offers hope for greater financial security. Bryce highlighted the importance of international exposure and participation in competitions like England’s domestic tournaments, which have provided her teammates with much-needed experience and financial support.
But financial disparity remains a significant issue across many nations. Sri Lanka, for example, has contracts ranging from just $340 to $1,000 per month for their 25 contracted players. Athapaththu was clear in her demand for equal pay, stressing that women cricketers put in the same effort as men and deserve to be compensated equally. “We need that kind of appreciation from every cricket board in the world,” she asserted.
Fortunately, the ICC has taken a historic step toward addressing this inequality with the introduction of equal prize money for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The winners of the tournament in Dubai will take home a prize of $2.34 million, a significant increase that sets a precedent for future tournaments. This decision, arriving seven years ahead of its initial 2030 target, represents a major victory for gender equality in the sport.
As the tournament kicks off in a few weeks, the stakes are higher than ever. Beyond the competition on the field, there is a growing awareness that this World Cup could be a defining moment for the future of women’s cricket. The players are no longer just competing for trophies; they are pushing for better governance, financial security, and long-term sustainability for the sport they love. The 2024 T20 World Cup might just be the turning point that women’s cricket has been waiting for.