Women’s cricket ready for its biggest stage
Which is the bigger tournament in cricket, the men's ICC World Cup or the women's?
On most metrics, this seems like a ludicrous question. The men's tournament has more teams competing, with even more trying to qualify; it generates more buzz, attracts more eyeballs, gets better sponsorship deals, and hence is the bigger tournament on most metrics.
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But not on all.
While judging the stature of a tournament, its longevity and the prize money involved are two vital markers, the first giving an idea of its legacy and the other showing what's at stake from a financial perspective.
As per these two metrics, the forthcoming ICC Women's World Cup 2025 surpasses all previous showpiece events of the game, be it in women's or men's cricket.
Longer legacy and greater rewards
A bizarre fact that sounds false but is actually true is that the first ever World Cup in cricket was played by women, not men.
It took place in 1973 in England, two years before the men's event in the same country. Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who captained England to victory in the inaugural Women's World Cup, and British businessman Jack Hayward are credited as the driving forces behind it.
Back then, even the men hardly made any money from cricket, let alone the women. The amateur days of the sport are long gone, but pay disparity on the basis of gender is still a reality. But the ICC has seemingly made it its mission to change that.
In September this year, the ICC announced a record-breaking USD 13.88 million prize pool for the 13th edition of the tournament in India -- a 297 percent increase from the USD 3.5 million pool at the 2022 event. The amount is 38.8 percent higher than the prize pool of the Men's ODI World Cup in 2023, making it the biggest cricketing event ever in terms of cash rewards.
This leap in prize money and its legacy shows the stature of the tournament. But the real intrigue lies in how the cricket itself unfolds among old powers and new challengers.
Lay of the land
For the seventh straight time, eight teams are set to compete in the Women's World Cup. The matches will be held in four venues in India and one in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India, two-time finalists, are one of the top contenders this time as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side go into the tournament with an exciting unit and are in with a realistic chance of lifting their maiden trophy in front of their home crowd.
The chief obstacle in their path, though, are Alyssa Healy's Australia.
In a high-scoring three-match WODI series between the two sides in India this month, the visitors outgunned the hosts 2-1, even posting a mammoth 412 in the final game in Delhi.
Defending champions and seven-time winners Australia come into the tournament as favourites. England, who have lifted the trophy on four occasions, are under the leadership of new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and remain a serious contender.
New Zealand, the only other side to have won it apart from Australia and England – back in 2000, will be led by the legendary all-rounder Sophie Devine, who is in her swansong, and after their triumph in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup last year, will be eyeing to complete the double.
With the men's team breaking the chokers' tag in the ICC World Test Championship, it's the South African women's team's turn to break new ground at the world stage. But it would take a big effort from the Laura Wolvaardt-led side, who have struggled for consistency.
Pakistan cricket board's stance of not sending their team to India due to security concerns has led to an unexpected advantage for Sri Lanka, who will play five matches at their home ground.
Led by experienced batter Chamari Athapaththu, the Lankans would hope to make it to the knockout stages.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have a unique chance of taking the final away from Indian soil, just like the men's Indian team had done in the ICC Champions Trophy. But for that to happen, they would have to make it to the final first, which seems highly unlikely for Fatima Sana & Co.
This leaves Bangladesh, who, admittedly, are going into the tournament to make up the numbers as for Nigar Sultana and Co, winning a couple of games would make it a satisfactory tournament.
What to expect
As all eight team participants will face each other in the league phase, a few one-sided affairs could be on offer, and the gulf in quality between the sides could be exposed.
Still, history, increased prize money, more eyeballs and the chance of seeing the end of Aussie and English dominance will make this World Cup a must-see event.
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