England women's cricket team

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see England cricket team.

The England women's cricket team represents England and Wales in international women's cricket. Since 1998, they have been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), having been previously governed by the Women's Cricket Association. England is a Full Member of the International Cricket Council, with Test, One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) status.

England

England Cricket crest
Association	England and Wales Cricket Board
Personnel
Captain	TBA
Coach	Charlotte Edwards
International Cricket Council
ICC status	Full member (1909)
ICC region	Europe
ICC Rankings Current[1] Best-ever ODI 2nd 2nd (1 Oct 2015) T20I 2nd 2nd
Tests
First Test	v  Australia at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane; 28–31 December 1934
Last Test	v  Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne; 30 January – 1 February 2025
Tests Played Won/Lost Total[2] 102 21/17 (64 draws) This year[3] 1 0/1 (0 draws)
One Day Internationals
First ODI	v International XI at County Cricket Ground, Hove; 23 June 1973
Last ODI	v  Australia at Bellerive Oval, Hobart; 17 January 2025
ODIs Played Won/Lost Total[4] 404 238/151 (2 ties, 13 no results) This year[5] 3 0/3 (0 ties, 0 no results)
World Cup appearances	11 (first in 1973)
Best result	Champions (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017)
T20 Internationals
First T20I	v  New Zealand at County Cricket Ground, Hove; 5 August 2004
Last T20I	v  Australia at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide; 25 January 2025
T20Is Played Won/Lost Total[6] 212 152/55 (3 ties, 2 no results) This year[7] 3 0/3 (0 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup appearances	8 (first in 2009)
Best result	Champions (2009)
Official website	www.ecb.co.uk/england/women
As of 1 February 2025

They played in the first ever Women's Test match in 1934, against Australia, which they won by 9 wickets. The two teams now compete regularly for The Women's Ashes. They played in the first Women's Cricket World Cup in 1973, winning the tournament on home soil, and have gone on to win the World Cup three more times, in 1993, 2009 and 2017. After their 2017 triumph, they were awarded the BBC Sports Team of the Year Award. They played in the first ever Twenty20 International in 2005, against New Zealand, and won the inaugural ICC Women's World Twenty20 in 2009, but despite being in the final on several occasions since they haven't repeated that triumph.

History

Australia vs England in the second women's Test match in Sydney, 1935

The pioneers

England were a part of the first Women's Test series, as their team led by Betty Archdale touring Australia in the summer of 1934–35, three years after the Bodyline tour by the men. The team and their captain received "warm" responses from the Australian crowds.^[8] Winning both the first two Tests and drawing the third, England won the first women's test series, and also beat New Zealand by an innings and 337 runs on the way home,^[9] where Betty Snowball contributed an innings of 189, which was to remain a women's Test record for half a century.^[10] However, their leading player, and one of the best-known women cricketers of the era, was the allrounder Myrtle Maclagan. She scored the first ever century in a woman's Test match on 7 January 1935.

Two years later, England suffered their first Test defeat, at the hands of Australia at Northampton. As Australia made their inaugural tour, an England team including seven debutantes conceded 300 on the first day, and despite bowling Australia out for 102 in the second innings they lost by 31 runs.^[11] England recovered to take the second Test after a first-innings 115 from Myrtle Maclagan, who also took five wickets opening the bowling,^[12] and the third Test was drawn to ensure a 1–1 series tie.^[13]

Losing the Ashes

England began playing women's Test cricket again in 1948–49, when they toured Australia for a three-Test match series. An England team with seven debutantes,^[14] lost the Women's Ashes to Australia after losing the first Test and drawing the final two. Two of their eleven made half-centuries on tour: Molly Hide, who also batted out the third day of the final Test to make England's only century in Australia that season to draw the game, and Myrtle Maclagan, who hit 77 in the second Test. Both had Test experience from before the War. Maclagan was also England's leading wicket-taker on tour, with nine wickets, ahead of Hide and Mary Johnson who took six each. However, England still beat New Zealand in their only Test one month after the conclusion of the Ashes.

In 1951, Australia toured England for the first time in 14 years. After drawing the first Test at Scarborough, England gained a lead of 38 on first innings after Mary Duggan's five wickets, and set a target of 159, larger than any score in the previous three innings, and a record of that time. Australia were 131 for eight after Duggan took four more wickets, but England conceded 29 runs for the ninth wicket. Thus, they surrendered the Ashes again, despite winning the final Test by 137 runs after another Duggan nine-wicket-haul to draw the series at 1–1.

England's next international series involved a visit from New Zealand in 1954. England won the first Test, despite giving up a deficit of 10 runs on first innings, but drew the second and third; the third Test saw a whole day's play lost to rain. Excluding one-offs, this was England's first series win since their inaugural series.

England went on tour of Australasia once again in 1957–58, nine years after their previous tour, but by now Mary Duggan had taken over as captain. For a change, they began against New Zealand, where they drew both Tests; despite Duggan's five-for in the final innings, New Zealand closed on 203 for nine after being set 228 to win. They then moved on to Australia, where their series began with an abandoned match at North Sydney Oval in February, and the second Test at St Kilda had the first day rained off. When the teams came in to bat, though, Duggan set a women's Test record; she claimed seven Australian batters, all for single-digit scores, and in 14.5 overs she conceded six runs, bettering Maclagan's previous best of seven for 10.^[15] The record stood for 38 years. However, Betty Wilson replied with seven for seven as England were bowled out for 35, three short of Australia's total, and then made a second-innings hundred as Australia set a target of 206 in 64 overs. England lost eight wickets for 76, but still managed the draw, while Wilson claimed four wickets to become the first Test player to score a hundred and take ten wickets in a match.^[16]

Wilson also hit a hundred in the third Test at Adelaide, but Cecilia Robinson replied with a hundred of her own, lasting into the final day's play. With Ruth Westbrook and Edna Barker also scoring half-centuries, England gained a first-innings lead, but Australia batted out to make 78 for two and draw the game. The fourth Test was also drawn; England trailed by 27 going into the final day, but Robinson carried her bat to 96 not out as England survived 102.5 overs and set Australia a target of 162. England only got one wicket in reply, however, to draw the game.

Unbeaten 1960s

After the 1950s, where England had lost two and won two Tests, England went through the 1960s without losing any of their 14 Tests, with the majority, ten, drawn. Their first series were against Test debutantes South Africa. Once again, the series had a majority of draws, but an England side captained by 23-year-old Helen Sharpe won the series 1–0 after claiming the third Test at Durban by eight wickets. South Africa gained first innings leads in the first and last Test, however, but followed on in the second Test which was affected by rain.^[17]

In 1963 England took what was to be their last series win over Australia for 42 years. In the first Test, England made 91 for three in the final innings, but in the second match at the North Marine Road Ground in Scarborough England were 97 behind with nine second-innings wickets in hand by the close of the second day. Wickets fell steadily throughout the third day, and England fell from 79 for four to 91 for nine; however, Eileen Vigor and June Bragger held on for the tenth wicket to draw the game. Three weeks later, the teams met for the third and final decider at The Oval, and captain Mary Duggan, in her last Test, scored her second Test century as England declared on 254 for eight. Australia replied with 205, then took two English wickets on the second day, and were set a target of 202. With Duggan and Anne Sanders doing the brunt of the bowling, England took the first nine wickets for 133, before Australia's No. 10 and 11 built a partnership. However, Edna Barker was brought on as the seventh bowler of the innings, and with her fourteenth ball she had Marjorie Marvell lbw to win the game for England.

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint took over the captaincy for the 1966 series against New Zealand, and made her first Test century in her very first Test as captain. New Zealand batted out the match losing twelve wickets, however, and the first Test was drawn. In the second, New Zealand recovered from a first innings deficit to set England a target of 157, which resulted in another draw, and in the third Test England were five for three overnight on the second day, trailing by 65. Another wicket was lost on the third morning, but England held on for 100 overs and set New Zealand 84 in nine overs to win the series. England conceded 35 and could not take a wicket, but still drew the game and the series 0 – 0.

England next went on an Oceanian tour in 1968–69, defending the Ashes successfully after another 0 – 0 draw. Debutante Enid Bakewell, aged 28, made a hundred in the first Test, but Australia declared 69 ahead, and England batted out the third day to make 192 for seven; in the second Test Edna Barker registered a hundred, and England set a target of 181, but could only take five wickets for 108 in Australia's final innings. The decider at Sydney also saw a declaration, from Australia, who made 210 for three declared in their second innings, but England lost only six wickets in the chase to draw again.

In New Zealand, the same procedure followed: Bakewell scored her second Test hundred and took five wickets in the first drawn Test, where the third innings lasted 4.4 overs before the game was called off as a draw. She followed that up with 114 and eight wickets in the second Test, where England bowled out New Zealand for 186 on the final day, and chased 173 in 42.3 overs after 66 not out in the second innings from Bakewell, and in the third Test New Zealand were bowled out for 214 in 68.3 overs after being set 252 to win. Bakewell made 412 runs in her five Test innings in New Zealand, and coupled that with 19 wickets, and headed both the runs and wickets tally. On the entire tour, also including matches against other opposition, Bakewell scored 1,031 runs and took 118 wickets.^[18]

First World Cup

West Indies had not been granted Test status yet, but England went on two tours there in 1969–70 and 1970–71, sponsored by Sir Jack Hayward.^[19] Hayward had received letters from England captain Heyhoe-Flint asking for sponsorship, and after a conversation between the two in 1971, Hayward and the Women's Cricket Association agreed to organise the inaugural Women's World Cup, which was to become the first World Cup in cricket. England fielded two sides: a Young England side, who were bowled out for 57 by Australia in the first Women's One-day International,^[20] and the senior side. In addition, three English women, Audrey Disbury, Wendy Williams and Pamela Crain played for the International XI.^[21]

Young England won one game, against International XI, while the full-strength England side won four of their first five games. In the match with New Zealand, rain forced them off after 15 overs, at 34 for one needing 71 from the last 20, and New Zealand were declared winners on "average run rate".^[22] New Zealand were not a threat, however, having lost with two balls to spare against the International XI and by 35 runs against Australia. With the match between Australia and the International XI rained off, Australia went into the final game with a one-point advantage on England, but in "gloriously" fair weather at Edgbaston Enid Bakewell scored her second century of the tournament,^[23] and England tallied 273 for three. Bakewell also bowled 12 overs for 28, taking the wicket of top-scorer Jackie Potter, as England limited Australia to 187 in their 60 overs and won the World Cup.^[24]

2005

In the 2005 World Cup, England lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Australia. However, England went on to win the two-Test series against Australia 1–0, claiming the Women's Ashes for the first time in 42 years. The One-Day series between the two sides was closely contested, with Australia winning the final match to take the series 3–2. The Women's team participated in the parade and celebrations held in Trafalgar Square alongside the victorious men's team.

With Clare Connor missing the 2005 winter tour, fluent middle order batsman Charlotte Edwards was named captain for the series against Sri Lanka and India, with England easily winning the two ODIs against Sri Lanka before drawing the one Test against India while losing the 5-match ODI series 4–1. Connor announced her retirement from international cricket in 2006,^[19] with Edwards now the official captain for the series against India in England.

2008

Despite being written off as underdogs before the Australian tour began, England drew the one-day international series against Australia, two all, and retained the Ashes with a six wicket victory in the one-off test match at Bowral. Isa Guha took nine wickets in the test match, and won the player of the match award, while long serving middle order batsman, Claire Taylor scored two gritty fifties. Captain Charlotte Edwards hit the winning runs, as she had at the Sydney Cricket Ground in her 100th one day international.

2009

England won the 2009 World Cup, held in Australia, defeating New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final at North Sydney Oval. They lost only one match in the tournament, against Australia, while they defeated India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Claire Taylor was the most prolific batsman in the tournament and Laura Marsh the most successful bowler. Vice captain Nicki Shaw, restored to the team only due to injury to Jenny Gunn, took 4 wickets and hit a vital 17 not out to win the man of the match award in the final. Caroline Atkins, Sarah Taylor and captain Charlotte Edwards were prolific with the bat while bowlers Holly Colvin and Katherine Brunt dominated with the ball. Five England players were named in the composite ICC team of the tournament. Claire Taylor was named one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year,^[25] the first woman to be honoured with the award in its 120-year history.

England underlined their dominance of the women's game with victory in the inaugural Twenty/20 World Championship at Lords. After qualifying top of their preliminary group, defeating India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, they overcame a formidable Australian total in the semi-final, thanks to Claire Taylor's unbeaten 76. A spell of 3 for 6 by fast bowler Katherine Brunt saw New Zealand dismissed for 85 in the final at Lords and Player of the Series Claire Taylor saw England to victory with an unbeaten 39. England completed the season by retaining the Ashes with a draw in the one-off test at New Road, Worcestershire thanks to the fast bowling of Katherine Brunt, who took seven wickets, and dogged defensive batting from Beth Morgan, who batted nearly eight hours in the match.

2012 World Twenty20

Heading into the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, England were considered favourites after an 18-month unbeaten streak that only ended in the weeks before the tournament, in a series against the West Indies which England won 4–1. England were forced into a late change for the tournament during this series, when Susie Rowe fractured her thumb and was replaced by the uncapped Amy Jones. England were grouped with Australia, India and Pakistan in Group A, following their group stage exit in the previous World Twenty20.

England began with a win over Pakistan, although they were somewhat unconvincing. After an opening stand of 102 between captain Charlotte Edwards and Laura Marsh, England only scored 31 runs in their final 7 overs to finish 133–6. Pakistan never really threatened to cause an upset, and were bowled out for 90 including 4-9 for Holly Colvin. However, Danielle Wyatt suffered an ankle injury whilst bowling and this limited her bowling input for the remainder of the group stage. Any unease at England's first performance was quashed with a thumping nine wicket win over India in their second game, which saw them qualify for the knockout stage. India were limited to 116-6 off their 20 overs, before another impressive stand of 78 from Edwards and Marsh ended the game as a contest, with Edwards ending on 50* and winning the player of the match award.

England's final group game was against Australia, and whilst both sides had already qualified, the game was seen as a good chance to get a psychological advantage before a potential final match-up. Australia posted an impressive 144–5, despite an economical performance from Katherine Brunt, thanks to scores of 39 from Meg Lanning and 38 from Lisa Sthalekar. This time Marsh departed early, bringing Sarah Taylor to the crease, although England continued to struggle to keep with the run rate, losing both Edwards and Arran Brindle. However, Wyatt's arrival at the crease saw a partnership of 65 off 33 balls, leading England's to a comfortable victory, Taylor ending on 65* and Wyatt on 33*. England carried this momentum into their semi-final with New Zealand, Lydia Greenway effecting a run out in the first over to dismiss New Zealand captain Suzie Bates, and thereafter New Zealand were only able to post a disappointing effort of 93–8. England comfortably scored the runs, with contributions from Edwards, Taylor (who finished not out for the third successive game) and Greenway, and reached their second World Twenty20 final.

The final took place on 7 October, between England and Australia in Colombo. England maintained their tactic of bowling first when Edwards won the toss, although it was Australia who made the far better start, scoring 47 off their first 6 overs during the powerplay without losing a wicket. Lanning and Alyssa Healy were dismissed soon afterwards, with Colvin taking 2-21 off her 4 overs, but Jess Cameron scored 45 off 34 balls. Although after Cameron's dismissal Australia only scored 23 runs off their final 23 balls, they posted a competitive score of 142–4. England were unable to match Australia's fast start, and with the run rate climbing, Australia were able to take crucial wickets at important times, Ellyse Perry making a huge impact in having Taylor caught behind and taking the catches for both Edwards and Greenway's dismissals. When Brunt was bowled by Jess Jonassen first ball of the 17th over, England needed 42 off 23 balls with just 3 wickets left. Despite valiant efforts from Jenny Gunn and Danielle Hazell, Hazell was unable to hit the final ball of the match for six off Erin Osborne, and Australia won by 4 runs.

Despite the defeat, Charlotte Edwards ended as the highest run scorer across the tournament, and was thus named player of the tournament. She was joined in the team of the tournament by Laura Marsh, Sarah Taylor and Katherine Brunt.

2013 Women's World Cup

Following on from the disappointment of not winning the world Twenty20, England headed to India for the 2013 Women's Cricket World Cup, defending their 2009 title. England added Georgia Elwiss to their squad from the World Twenty20, and were in Group A with Sri Lanka, West Indies and hosts India. England's tournament got off to a disastrous start, losing a thrilling match to the unfancied Sri Lanka. Sarah Taylor, Laura Marsh and Anya Shrubsole all missed the game injured, and Sri Lanka won the toss and inserted England to bat. The toss would prove crucial many times in this tournament, as the early start times meant that batting during the first hour was extremely difficult, and so it proved in this match, with Charlotte Edwards, Danielle Wyatt and Lydia Greenway all out within the first eight overs. Arran Brindle (31) and Heather Knight (38) lead the recovery, but as soon as England had gained the ascendancy they were both dismissed. It was left to vice-captain Jenny Gunn and debutant Amy Jones to get England to a defendable score, and they did, with Gunn making 52 and Jones 41. Some late hitting from Katherine Brunt and Danielle Hazell lifted England to 238–8, and it seemed as though the disaster the early wickets had promised had been averted. Sri Lanka however pulled off a stunning victory, Chamari Athapaththu scoring 62, and supported by Mendis and Siriwardene, put Sri Lanka in an extremely strong position. Brunt and Elwiss struck back for England, before a brutal 56 from Eshani Lokusuriyage took Sri Lanka to within a run of victory. She was run out in the final over, but Dilani Manodara hit the final ball of the match from Elwiss for six as Sri Lanka won by just one wicket, their first every victory over England.

Whilst this result did not put England's chances of qualification in too much danger, it highlighted potential weaknesses for other sides to exploit. Taylor, Marsh and Shrubsole all returned for the second game against India, although England again lost the toss and found themselves batting. Whilst Goswami dismissed Wyatt cheaply, Edwards and Taylor both survived and then prospered. Taylor was run out for 35, but Edwards carried on, and reached her 7th ODI hundred, and when Brindle added 37*, England had reached 272–8. Despite 107* from Harmanpreet Kaur, England won by 32 runs, with the outstanding Brunt taking 4-29 from her 9 overs, and Holly Colvin's miserly spell where she conceded just 29 runs from her 10 overs. England's final game was against the West Indies, with only the winner guaranteed a spot in the super sixes. West Indies won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat, which soon backfired against Brunt and Shrubsole. West Indies were reduced to 31-6 and ended 101 all out, Shrubsole taking 4-21 and Brindle 3–0, although this was not achieved without worry for England as Edwards left the field ill and Brunt injured herself celebrating the wicket of Deandra Dottin. England achieved the target with 40 from Wyatt, taking them through to the next stage. However, Sri Lanka then gained another shock victory, over hosts India, taking them through along with England and West Indies. This result meant England carried through one win and one defeat instead of two wins, which would soon prove crucial.

England's first game in the Super Sixes was against Australia, and the game began well for England, who won the toss having found out Australia would be missing their star pace bowler, Ellyse Perry, injured. Brunt and Shrubsole soon reduced Australia to 32–5, taking full advantage of early swing, before Lisa Sthalekar and Sarah Coyte managed to get Australia to a poor but not wholly uncompetitive 147 all out. England began poorly, and found themselves 39–6, including a second successive first ball duck for Taylor. Greenway made a gutsy 49, but her dismissal seemingly marked the end of the match. England needed 34 when their last pair of Holly Colvin and Anya Shrubsole came together, but they took England to within three runs of victory, before Erin Osborne crucially dismissed Colvin to win the game for Australia. England now needed other results to go in their favour to reach the final, but responded superbly, bowling South Africa out for just 77 in their next match, with Shrubsole again to the fore, taking outstanding figures of 10-5-17-5, and Wyatt picking up three cheap wickets. England achieved the target in just 9.3 overs, boosting their net run rate, vital should they finish level on points with another team.

England went into their last Super Sixes match against New Zealand knowing that if Australia beat the West Indies and they beat New Zealand, they would reach the final. However, during the early stages of the match news came through that West Indies had staged a remarkable comeback victory over Australia, meaning those two teams would contest the final, and England and New Zealand would finish 3rd and 4th. The game lost some of its intensity after the news came through, but England posted 266–6, with Taylor scoring 88 and Edwards 54. New Zealand appeared to be well on the way to victory at 145–1, but good spells of bowling from Gunn and Colvin saw New Zealand collapse and England win by 15 runs. The same sides then contested the 3rd/4th place playoff, where the once again impressive Colvin helped limit New Zealand to 220–8. England successfully chased this target down to finish 3rd in the tournament, with Taylor, Greenway and Brindle supporting a match winning hundred from Edwards, who became the first woman to score 5,000 runs in ODIs as she finished 106*. Edwards, Brunt, Colvin and Shrubsole all were named in the team of the tournament, giving England the most representatives with four.

2013 Ashes victory

England's summer began with a change in coaching structure, with the coach of the previous five years Mark Lane leaving, to be replaced by Paul Shaw. England began the summer with a 2 ODI, 2 Twenty20 international series against Pakistan, which was used as a chance to give some of the fringe and younger players international experience due to the need to expand the squad along with some residual injuries to senior players. England won the ODI series 2-0 and tied the Twenty20 series 1-1, with international debuts for Natalie Sciver, Lauren Winfield and Natasha Farrant.

The Ashes began with the four-day Test match at Wormsley, with Australia making strong progress on the first day, reaching 243–3 at the close on a slow pitch. This was extended to 331-6 declared before lunch on the second day, Sarah Elliott completing her maiden Test century. Arran Brindle departed early, but a flowing fifty partnership from Heather Knight and Sarah Taylor put England in the ascendancy. Taylor was dismissed by Holly Ferling as England dramatically slumped to 113-6 and were in sudden danger of being forced to follow on. That they did not was due to a partnership of 156 between Knight and Laura Marsh, which ultimately saw England cede only a lead of 17 to Australia. Knight, in only her second Test, scored 157 in nearly seven hours of chanceless batting, winning her the player of the match award. Marsh's innings, 55 off 304 balls and 343 minutes, was one of the slowest international fifties recorded but helped England escape from the trouble they were in. From the close of England's 1st innings the match petered out into a draw, the slow pitch preventing either side from forcing victory.

With the Ashes now contested across all three formats, the drawn Test meant that England would have to win the combined ODI and Twenty20 match series at least 8-4 (2 points for a win) to win back the Ashes. They began badly in the first ODI at Lords, where Australia batted first and scored 203–8, due to good performances from Katherine Brunt and Marsh with the ball. England began well if a little slowly but faded against the Australian spinners, as despite 61 from Edwards, they slumped to a 27 run defeat. England came back strongly in the second ODI at Hove, batting first and making 256–6 in their 50 overs. Edwards led the way with her 6th consecutive ODI fifty, with all of the top six making at least 26. Brunt and Anya Shrubsole then dismissed both openers, including the dangerous Meg Lanning for zero, and despite 81 from Jess Cameron, England won by 51 runs, although Marsh injured her shoulder and missed the remainder of the series. The final ODI again took place at Hove, and after rain reduced the game to 36 overs a side, Australia scored an imposing 203–4, led by Lanning's 64. The Australia innings was notable for the remarkable dismissal of Australian captain Jodie Fields, who was brilliantly caught one-handed by Taylor as Fields attempted to reverse sweep Danielle Hazell. England chased down this target impressively, as after Edwards early dismissal, Knight and Taylor combined for a partnership of 126 in 18 overs. They fell for 69 and 64 respectively, but Sciver and Gunn saw England home and into a series lead.

The Twenty20 series began at a packed Chelmsford, and England posted 146–4, owing much to Taylor, who made 77. Australia's reply never got started until some late hitting from Perry and Haynes, but England won by 15 runs despite to loss of Shrubsole to injury to move within one victory of winning the series. In the next game at the Rose Bowl, Australia batted first and made 127–7, Hazell bowling well to take 2-11 off her 4 overs. England's reply began poorly when they slumped to 9–3, but Lydia Greenway, who made an unbeaten 80 off 64 balls, led England to both victory in the match and series, with the number of commentators praising her innings for its quality under pressure. England then thumped a deflated Australia in the final match of the series, taking the Ashes 12–4. Australia could only manage 91-7 off their 20 overs against a very disciplined performance from England's bowlers and fielders, and after the loss of three early wickets, Greenway and Sciver saw England to a comfortable win. Knight, who tore her hamstring in the final match, collected the player of the series award.

2014–present: professional era

In February 2014, the ECB decided to invest in the women's game providing central contracts to 18 players by May.^[26]

In October 2019, national director Clare Connor announced plans to grow all areas of the women's game, with the addition of 40 new full-time contracted players.^[27]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial announcement of players was delayed until June 2020, where the ECB announced the first 25 of 40 players to receive the new regional retainers contracts. The split of the full 40 players will be made up of 5 players from each of the grouped 8 regions.^[28]

Status of Wales

See also: Wales women's national cricket team, Cricket in Wales, and England cricket team § Status of Wales

The England women's cricket team, as a part of the England and Wales Cricket Board, represents both England and Wales. Welsh cricketers such as Lynne Thomas have therefore played for England.^[29]

Cricket Wales has continually supported the ECB, and the Wales women's national cricket team effectively functions as a domestic team within the women's county cricket structure, competing in the Women's County Championship until 2019 and continuing to compete in the Women's Twenty20 Cup.^[30][31] Wales is included as part of the country's new regional domestic structure and is part of the Western Storm regional hub, as well as being represented by Welsh Fire in The Hundred.^[32][33]

The absence of a Welsh cricket team that compete internationally in men's cricket has led to a number of comments from politicians and debates within the Senedd.^[34][35] It is unclear, however, whether these calls extend to the women's game. Wales did compete internationally in the Women's European Championship in 2005, as the tournament was held in Wales, playing against England and three other European women's cricket sides.^[36]

England World Cup stars (L-R): Charlotte Edwards, Lynne Thomas and Enid Bakewell, photographed at North Sydney Oval during the 2017–18 Women's Ashes Test

Tournament history

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within England

Key

	Champions
	Runners-up
	Semi-finals

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup

World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Tie	NR
1973	Champions	1/7	6	5	1	0	0
1978	Runners-up	2/4	3	2	1	0	0
1982	Runners-up	2/5	13	7	4	2	0
1988	Runners-up	2/5	9	6	3	0	0
1993	Champions	1/8	8	7	1	0	0
1997	Semi-finals	3/11	7	5	2	0	0
2000	Group Stage	5/8	7	3	4	0	0
2005	Semi-finals	4/8	8	3	3	0	2
2009	Champions	1/8	9	8	1	0	0
2013	Semi-finals	3/8	8	5	3	0	0
2017	Champions	1/8	9	8	1	0	0
2022	Runners-up	2/8	9	5	4	0	0
2025
Total	4 Title	-	96	64	28	2	2

ICC Women's World Twenty20

T20 World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Tie	NR
2009	Champions	1/8	5	5	0	0	0
2010	Group Stage	5/8	3	1	2	0	0
2012[37]	Runners-up	2/8	5	4	1	0	0
2014	Runners-up	2/8	6	4	2	0	0
2016	Semi-finals	4/10	5	4	1	0	0
2018	Runners-up	2/10	6	3	3	0	0
2020	Semi-finals	4/10	5	3	1	0	1
2023	Semi-finals	3/10	5	4	1	0	0
2024	Group Stage	6/10	4	3	1	0	0
2026
Total	1 Title	-	44	31	12	0	1

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2022	Medal round	4/8	5	3	2	0	0
Total	0 Title	-	5	3	2	0	0

Women's European Cricket Championship

• 1989: Winners
• 1990: Winners
• 1991: Winners
• 1995: Winners
• 1999: Winners
• 2001: Runners-up (England Under-19s)
• 2005: Winners (Development Squad)
• 2007: Winners (Development Squad)

(Note: England sent a Development Squad to every European Championship tournament, but it was only specifically referred to as such in 2005 & 2007). At the 2001 edition of the tournament, England was represented by the national under-19 team.

Honours

• Women's World Cup:
  • Champions (4): 1973, 1993, 2009, 2017
  • Runners-up (4): 1978, 1982, 1988, 2022
• Women's T20 World Cup:
  • Champions (1): 2009
  • Runners-up (3): 2012, 2014, 2018

Current international rankings

The ICC ranking teams by ODI and T20I performance. They do no rank women's teams for Test cricket.

ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings v t e Team Matches Points Rating  Australia 29 4,876 168  England 30 3,719 124  India 29 3,236 112  South Africa 25 2,568 103  New Zealand 27 2,693 100  West Indies 29 2,367 82  Bangladesh 27 2,203 82  Sri Lanka 16 1,279 80  Pakistan 27 1,828 68  Ireland 32 1,561 49  Thailand 11 508 46  Scotland 14 588 42  Netherlands 10 226 23  Zimbabwe 17 243 14  United States 9 103 11  Papua New Guinea 9 0 0 Source: ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings, 18 April 2025

ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings v t e Team Matches Points Rating  Australia 39 11,583 297  England 42 11,728 279  India 45 11,712 260  New Zealand 40 10,059 251  South Africa 35 8,470 242  West Indies 33 7,973 242  Sri Lanka 44 10,096 229  Pakistan 39 8,551 219  Bangladesh 42 8,176 195  Ireland 33 6,397 194  Scotland 25 3,884 155  Papua New Guinea 19 2,915 153  Thailand 41 6,254 153  Zimbabwe 36 5,040 140  United Arab Emirates 50 6,324 126  Netherlands 29 3,664 126  Namibia 49 5,566 114  Uganda 55 6,177 112  Tanzania 25 2,570 103  Indonesia 27 2,674 99    Nepal 40 3,794 95  Hong Kong 51 4,659 91  Italy 22 1,838 84  Spain 12 909 76  Nigeria 33 2,499 76  United States 20 1,505 75  Rwanda 52 3,898 75  Malaysia 37 2,742 74  Kenya 41 2,858 70  Cyprus 7 462 66  Jersey 15 976 65  Vanuatu 22 1,298 59  Canada 12 702 59  Gibraltar 9 470 52  Isle of Man 16 713 45  Myanmar 24 1,047 44  Brazil 24 1,002 42  Croatia 8 328 41  Sweden 15 605 40  Greece 18 657 37  Denmark 13 473 36  Guernsey 12 423 35  Germany 14 486 35  Samoa 17 570 34  Japan 26 838 32  Botswana 28 858 31  Sierra Leone 14 395 28  China 21 591 28  Kuwait 24 651 27  France 14 352 25  Mozambique 12 270 23  Mexico 7 150 21  Bhutan 21 445 21  Qatar 20 318 16  Romania 8 126 16  Serbia 13 200 15  Argentina 23 342 15  Cook Islands 11 140 13  Malawi 9 112 12  Austria 21 250 12  Fiji 17 168 10  Luxembourg 11 104 9  Norway 16 125 8  Singapore 38 111 3  Cambodia 7 15 2  Malta 15 28 2  Oman 7 11 2  Philippines 13 8 1  Mongolia 15 0 0  Eswatini 5 0 0  Lesotho 9 0 0  Ghana 5 0 0  Estonia 12 0 0  Cameroon 12 0 0  Bulgaria 8 0 0  Bahrain 14 0 0  Czech Republic 7 0 0 Source: ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings, 15 April 2025

Current squad

This is a list of players who are either contracted by England, or were included in a squad for a series during 2023.

• Players in italics are uncapped.
• ECB central contract refers to the period of 2023–2024.^[38]
• ECB development contract refers to the period of 2023–2024.^[38]
• Full-time domestic contract refers to players playing professionally for a regional hub side.^[39]

Name	Age	Batting style	Bowling style	Domestic team	Test Caps	ODI Caps	T20 Caps	S/N	C/T
Captain and all-rounder
Heather Knight	34	Right-handed bat	Right-arm off spin	Western Storm	12	134	107	5	Central
Vice-captain and all-rounder
Nat Sciver-Brunt	32	Right-handed bat	Right-arm medium-fast	The Blaze	10	100	113	39	Central
Batters
Maia Bouchier	26	Right-handed bat	Right-arm medium	Southern Vipers	–	3	23	14	Central
Sophia Dunkley	26	Right-handed bat	Right-arm leg spin	South East Stars	5	31	50	47	Central
Danni Wyatt	33	Right-handed bat	Right-arm off spin	Southern Vipers	2	105	151	28	Central
Wicketkeepers
Tammy Beaumont	34	Right-handed bat	—	The Blaze	9	109	99	12	Central
Bess Heath	23	Right-handed bat	—	Northern Diamonds	–	1	1	67	Development
Amy Jones	31	Right-handed bat	—	Central Sparks	6	82	94	40	Central
Lauren Winfield-Hill	34	Right-handed bat	—	Northern Diamonds	5	55	44	58	Full-time domestic
All-rounders
Alice Capsey	20	Right-handed bat	Right-arm off spin	South East Stars	–	10	24	64	Central
Alice Davidson-Richards	30	Right-handed bat	Right-arm medium	South East Stars	1	6	8	36	Full-time domestic
Danielle Gibson	23	Right-handed bat	Right-arm medium	Western Storm	–	–	7	66	Central
Freya Kemp	19	Left-handed bat	Left-arm medium	Southern Vipers	–	2	15	73	Central
Emma Lamb	27	Right-handed bat	Right-arm off spin	North West Thunder	2	11	1	6	Central
Pace Bowlers
Lauren Bell	24	Right-handed bat	Right-arm fast-medium	Southern Vipers	3	8	14	63	Central
Kate Cross	33	Right-handed bat	Right-arm fast-medium	North West Thunder	8	59	16	16	Central
Freya Davies	29	Right-handed bat	Right-arm fast-medium	Southern Vipers	–	9	26	61	Full-time domestic
Tash Farrant	28	Left-handed bat	Left-arm medium	South East Stars	–	6	18	53	Central
Lauren Filer	24	Right-handed bat	Right-arm medium	Western Storm	2	3	–	82	Development
Mahika Gaur	19	Right-handed bat	Left-arm medium	North West Thunder	–	2	4	68	Development
Issy Wong	22	Right-handed bat	Right-arm fast-medium	Central Sparks	1	3	10	25	Central
Spin Bowlers
Charlie Dean	24	Right-handed bat	Right-arm off spin	Southern Vipers	2	25	17	24	Central
Sophie Ecclestone	25	Right-handed bat	Slow left-arm orthodox	North West Thunder	7	58	76	19	Central
Sarah Glenn	25	Right-handed bat	Right-arm leg spin	The Blaze	–	14	54	3	Central

Records

See also: England women's national cricket team record by opponent

Test cricket - individual records

Players shown in bold are still active in international cricket

Most matches

Position	Player	Span	Matches[40]
1	Jan Brittin	1979–1998	27
2	Charlotte Edwards	1996–2015	23
3	Rachael Heyhoe Flint	1960–1979	22
4	Jane Smit	1992–2006	21
5	Carole Hodges	1984–1992	18
6	Jacqueline Court	1976–1987	17
	Mary Duggan	1949–1963	17
8	Clare Connor	1995–2005	16
	Clare Taylor	1995–2003	16
10	Edna Barker	1957–1969	15
	Molly Hide	1934–1954	15
	Karen Smithies	1987–1999	15
	Claire Taylor	1999–2009	15

As of 18 December 2023

Highest run scorer

Position	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs[41]	Ave	HS	50	100
1	Jan Brittin	1979–1998	27	44	1,935	49.61	167	11	5
2	Charlotte Edwards	1996–2015	23	43	1,676	44.10	117	9	4
3	Rachael Heyhoe Flint	1960–1979	22	38	1,594	45.54	179	10	3
4	Carole Hodges	1984–1992	18	31	1,164	40.13	158*	6	2
5	Enid Bakewell	1968–1979	12	22	1,078	59.88	124	7	4
6	Claire Taylor	1999–2009	15	27	1,030	41.20	177	2	4
7	Myrtle Maclagan	1934–1951	14	25	1,007	41.95	119	6	2
8	Heather Knight	2011–	13	23	910	43.47	168*	5	2
9	Molly Hide	1934–1954	15	27	872	36.33	124*	5	2
10	Cecilia Robinson	1949–1963	14	27	829	33.16	105	2	2

As of 17 December 2024

Highest scores

Position	Player	High score[42]	Balls	4s	6s	Opponent	Date
1	Tammy Beaumont	208	331	27	0	Australia	24 June 2023
2	Betty Snowball	189	–	1	0	New Zealand	16 February 1935
3	Rachael Heyhoe Flint	179	–	28	0	Australia	24 July 1976
4	Claire Taylor	177	287	22	0	South Africa	7 August 2003
5	Nat Sciver-Brunt	169*	263	21	0	South Africa	27 June 2022
6	Heather Knight	168*	294	17	1	Australia	27 January 2022
7	Jan Brittin	167	402	17	0	Australia	11 August 1998
8	Barbara Daniels	160	268	19	0	New Zealand	24 June 1996
9	Carole Hodges	158*	323	21	0	New Zealand	27 July 1984
10	Heather Knight	157	338	20	0	Australia	11 August 2013

As of 18 December 2023

Highest wicket taker

Position	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Wkts[43]	Ave	BBI	BBM	Econ	SR	5	10
1	Mary Duggan	1949–1963	17	27	77	13.49	7–6	9–58	1.66	48.4	5	0
2	Myrtle Maclagan	1934–1951	14	27	60	15.58	7–10	7–41	1.63	57.2	3	0
3	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	2004–2022	14	25	51	21.52	6–69	9–111	2.52	51.1	3	0
4	Enid Bakewell	1968–1979	12	22	50	16.62	7–61	10–75	1.84	53.9	3	1
5	Gillian McConway	1984–1987	14	25	40	25.47	7–34	7–40	1.59	95.6	2	0
6	Avril Starling	1984–1986	11	21	37	24.64	5–36	7–97	1.99	74.0	1	0
7	Molly Hide	1934–1954	15	26	36	15.25	5–20	8–58	1.59	57.3	1	0
8	Sophie Ecclestone	2017–	8	15	35	29.91	5–63	10–192	2.80	64.0	2	1
9	Anne Sanders	1954–1969	11	19	32	16.62	4–29	7–69	1.50	66.3	0	0
10	Lucy Pearson	1996–2004	12	20	30	29.36	7–51	11–107	2.40	73.1	1	1

As of 17 December 2024

Best bowling figures

Position	Player	Figures (wickets/runs)[44]	Opponent	Date
1	Mary Duggan	7–6	Australia	21 February 1958
2	Myrtle Maclagan	7–10	Australia	28 December 1934
3	Gillian McConway	7–34	India	12 July 1986
4	Lucy Pearson	7–51	Australia	22 February 2003
5	Enid Bakewell	7–61	West Indies	1 July 1979
6	Julia Greenwood	6–46	West Indies	16 June 1979
7	Mary Duggan	6–55	New Zealand	28 November 1957
8	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	6–69	Australia	10 July 2009
9	Gillian McConway	6–71	Australia	1 August 1987
10	Joy Partridge	6–96	Australia	4 January 1935

As of 18 December 2023

ODI cricket - individual records

Players shown in bold are still active in international cricket

Most matches

Position	Player	Span	Matches[45]
1	Charlotte Edwards	1997–2016	191
2	Heather Knight	2010–	146
3	Jenny Gunn	2004–2019	144
4	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	2005–2022	141
5	Lydia Greenway	2004–2016	126
	Claire Taylor	1998–2011	126
	Sarah Taylor	2006–2019	126
8	Tammy Beaumont	2009–	124
9	Danni Wyatt	2010–	115
10	Nat Sciver-Brunt	2013–	112

As of 17 December 2024

Highest run scorers

Position	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs[46]	Ave	HS	50	100
1	Charlotte Edwards	1997–2016	191	180	5,992	38.16	173*	46	9
2	Tammy Beaumont	2009–	124	114	4,204	41.21	168*	22	10
3	Claire Taylor	1998–2011	126	120	4,101	40.20	156*	23	8
4	Sarah Taylor	2006–2019	126	119	4,056	38.26	147	20	8
5	Heather Knight	2010–	146	139	3,966	35.41	106	26	2
6	Nat Sciver-Brunt	2013–	112	99	3,696	46.20	148*	21	9
7	Lydia Greenway	2003–2016	126	111	2,554	30.04	125*	12	1
8	Jan Brittin	1979–1998	63	59	2,121	42.42	138*	8	5
9	Amy Jones	2013–	94	78	2,029	29.40	94	14	0
10	Danni Wyatt	2010–	115	98	1,965	23.39	129	5	2

As of 17 December 2024

Highest scores

Position	Player	High score[47]	Balls	4s	6s	SR	Opponent	Date
1	Charlotte Edwards	173*	155	19	0	111.61	Ireland	16 December 1997
2	Tammy Beaumont	168*	144	20	0	116.66	Pakistan	27 June 2016
3	Claire Taylor	156*	151	9	0	103.31	India	14 August 2006
4	Tammy Beaumont	150*	139	16	1	107.91	Ireland	9 September 2024
5	Nat Sciver-Brunt	148*	121	15	1	122.31	Australia	3 April 2022
6	Tammy Beaumont	148	145	22	1	102.06	South Africa	5 July 2017
7	Sarah Taylor	147	104	24	0	141.34	South Africa	5 July 2017
8	Caroline Atkins	145	155	12	0	93.54	South Africa	8 August 2008
9	Barbara Daniels	142*	103	18	1	137.86	Pakistan	12 December 1997
10	Charlotte Edwards	139*	152	17	0	91.44	Netherlands	30 November 2000

As of 17 December 2024

Highest wicket takers

Position	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Wkts[48]	Ave	BBI	Econ	SR	4	5
1	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	2005–2022	141	139	170	24.00	5–18	3.57	40.2	3	5
2	Jenny Gunn	2004–2019	144	136	136	28.10	5–22	3.88	43.4	4	2
3	Laura Marsh	2006–2019	103	102	129	26.84	5–15	3.89	41.3	3	1
4	Sophie Ecclestone	2016–	69	68	113	19.78	6–36	3.62	32.7	2	2
5	Anya Shrubsole	2008–2022	86	85	106	26.53	6–46	4.21	37.7	4	2
6	Clare Taylor	1998–2005	105	104	102	23.95	4–13	2.85	50.3	2	0
7	Isa Guha	2001–2011	83	81	101	23.21	5–14	3.73	37.2	2	2
8	Holly Colvin	2006–2013	72	68	98	21.80	4–17	3.58	36.5	3	0
	Kate Cross	2013–	72	71	98	23.90	6–30	4.40	32.5	3	3
10	Clare Connor	1995–2005	93	83	80	26.01	5–49	3.48	44.7	1	1

As of 17 December 2024

Best bowling figures

Position	Player	Figures (wickets/runs)[49]	Overs	Opponent	Date
1	Jo Chamberlain	7–8	9.0	Denmark	19 July 1991
2	Kate Cross	6–30	9.5	Ireland	7 September 2024
3	Sophie Ecclestone	6–36	8.0	South Africa	31 March 2022
4	Anya Shrubsole	6–46	9.4	India	23 July 2017
5	Laura Harper	5–12	8.4	Netherlands	19 July 1999
6	Isa Guha	5–14	8.0	West Indies	12 July 2008
7	Gill Smith	5-15	5.3	Denmark	19 July 1990
	Laura Marsh	5–15	10.0	Pakistan	12 March 2009
9	Anya Shrubsole	5–17	10.0	South Africa	10 February 2013
10	Jo Chamberlain	5–18	10.4	Ireland	21 July 1989
	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	5–18	10.0	Australia	7 July 2011

As of 17 December 2024

Twenty20 International cricket - individual records

Players shown in bold are still active in international cricket

Most matches

Position	Player	Span	Matches[50]
1	Danni Wyatt	2010–	167
2	Nat Sciver-Brunt	2013–	129
3	Heather Knight	2010–	126
4	Amy Jones	2013–	114
5	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	2005–2023	112
6	Tammy Beaumont	2009–	104
	Jenny Gunn	2004–2018	104
8	Charlotte Edwards	2004–2016	95
9	Sophie Ecclestone	2016–	93
10	Sarah Taylor	2006–2019	90

As of 17 December 2024

Highest run scorers

Position	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs[51]	Ave	HS	SR	50	100	4s	6s
1	Danni Wyatt	2010–	167	146	3,121	23.64	124	129.12	18	2	386	42
2	Nat Sciver-Brunt	2013–	129	123	2,746	28.90	82	118.05	16	0	308	18
3	Charlotte Edwards	2004–2016	95	93	2,605	32.97	92*	106.93	12	0	338	10
4	Sarah Taylor	2006–2019	90	87	2,177	29.02	77	110.67	16	0	241	6
5	Heather Knight	2010–	126	112	2,121	25.25	108*	119.96	7	1	220	35
6	Tammy Beaumont	2009–	104	88	1,859	24.14	116	108.96	10	1	219	22
7	Amy Jones	2013–	114	92	1,580	21.35	89	122.67	5	0	182	22
8	Lydia Greenway	2004–2016	85	73	1,192	24.32	80*	96.12	2	0	93	5
9	Sophia Dunkley	2018–	61	49	890	22.25	61*	116.95	3	0	106	13
10	Laura Marsh	2007–2019	67	53	755	16.41	54	101.07	1	0	92	7

As of 17 December 2024

Highest scores

Position	Player	High score[52]	Balls	4s	6s	SR	Opponent	Date
1	Danni Wyatt	124	64	15	5	193.75	India	25 March 2018
2	Tammy Beaumont	116	52	18	4	223.07	South Africa	20 June 2018
3	Heather Knight	108*	66	13	4	163.63	Thailand	26 February 2020
4	Danni Wyatt	100	57	13	2	175.43	Australia	21 November 2017
5	Tammy Beaumont	97	65	13	1	149.23	New Zealand	1 September 2021
6	Charlotte Edwards	92*	59	13	1	155.93	Australia	29 January 2014
7	Maia Bouchier	91	56	12	2	162.50	New Zealand	27 March 2024
8	Danni Wyatt	89*	56	12	1	158.92	India	14 July 2021
9	Amy Jones	89	52	11	3	171.15	Pakistan	19 December 2019
10	Danni Wyatt	87	48	12	1	181.25	Pakistan	19 May 2024

As of 17 December 2024

Highest wicket takers

Position	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Wkts[53]	Ave	BBI	Econ	SR	4	5
1	Sophie Ecclestone	2016–	93	92	133	14.98	4–18	5.80	15.4	2	0
2	Katherine Sciver-Brunt	2005–2023	112	111	114	19.19	4–15	5.57	20.6	1	0
3	Anya Shrubsole	2008–2022	79	79	102	15.55	5–11	5.95	15.6	2	1
4	Nat Sciver-Brunt	2013–	129	114	90	22.71	4–15	6.55	20.8	2	0
5	Sarah Glenn	2019–	70	67	89	15.22	4–12	5.85	15.5	4	0
6	Danielle Hazell	2009–2018	85	85	85	20.75	4–12	5.55	22.4	1	0
7	Jenny Gunn	2004–2018	104	76	75	19.82	5–18	66.44	18.4	2	1
8	Laura Marsh	2007–2019	67	66	64	20.64	3–12	5.29	23.3	0	0
9	Holly Colvin	2007–2013	50	50	63	15.41	4–9	5.19	17.7	1	0
10	Danni Wyatt	2010–	167	45	46	15.54	4–11	5.65	16.5	1	0
	Charlie Dean	2022–	36	35	46	18.19	4–19	6.91	15.7	2	0

As of 17 December 2024

Best bowling figures

Position	Player	Figures (wickets/runs)[54]	Overs	Opponent	Date
1	Anya Shrubsole	5–11	4.0	New Zealand	17 February 2012
2	Jenny Gunn	5–18	4.0	New Zealand	22 October 2013
3	Jenny Gunn	4–9	2.0	South Africa	10 August 2007
	Holly Colvin	4–9	3.4	Pakistan	27 September 2012
5	Danni Wyatt	4–11	3.0	South Africa	9 May 2010
	Anya Shrubsole	4–11	4.0	Australia	31 August 2015
7	Anya Shrubsole	4–12	4.0	Pakistan	4 September 2012
	Danielle Hazell	4–12	4.0	West Indies	15 September 2012
	Lauren Bell	4–12	3.0	West Indies	18 December 2022
	Sarah Glenn	4–12	4.0	Pakistan	11 May 2024

As of 18 December 2023