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| Women's Twenty20 International | |
|---|---|
| Name | Women's Twenty20 International |
| Administrator | International Cricket Council |
| Cricket format | Twenty20 cricket |
| First | 2004 |
| Tournaments | ICC Women's T20 World Cup |
Women's Twenty20 International
Women's Twenty20 International matches are the highest standard of international Twenty20 cricket played between women's national teams. The format emerged alongside the men's Twenty20 cricket revolution and quickly influenced scheduling between nations such as Australia national women's cricket team, England women's cricket team, India women's national cricket team, New Zealand women's national cricket team, and South Africa women's national cricket team. Matches have driven growth in women's competitions across regions including Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas.
The first women's international Twenty20 fixture took place in 2004, catalyzing ties among teams like England women's cricket team and New Zealand women's national cricket team, and later shaping tournaments such as the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and bilateral series between Australia national women's cricket team and India women's national cricket team. Early adopters included administrators from the International Cricket Council working with boards such as Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board, Board of Control for Cricket in India, New Zealand Cricket, and Cricket South Africa. The format's profile rose after landmark events involving players from Charlotte Edwards, Ellyse Perry, Suzy Bates, Meg Lanning, Mithali Raj, and Sarah Taylor, and consequential matches at venues like Lord's and Melbourne Cricket Ground influenced scheduling and broadcasting by networks such as Sky Sports, Star Sports, Fox Sports, and ESPNcricinfo coverage. The expansion of franchise tournaments like the Women's Big Bash League, The Hundred, Women's Premier League, and the Kia Super League interacted with international calendars governed by agreements between entities such as the Marylebone Cricket Club and regional boards.
Matches are governed by Twenty20 cricket playing conditions promulgated by the International Cricket Council with adaptations for women's competitions agreed with boards including Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board. Each side bats for a maximum of 20 overs, with playing conditions covering fielding restrictions at venues like Eden Gardens, Sydney Cricket Ground, and Hagley Oval. Playing regulations address equipment standards approved by the Marylebone Cricket Club, use of white balls at venues like Sharjah Cricket Stadium, powerplay overs, and methods of result determination such as the Duckworth–Lewis method and its successor, the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method. Umpiring and match referee appointments are managed through panels including members from the ICC Umpires and Referees Panel and national umpiring bodies like Cricket Australia Umpires.
International status for Twenty20 fixtures is conferred by the International Cricket Council, with status allocation involving full members such as Australia national women's cricket team, England women's cricket team, India women's national cricket team, Pakistan women's national cricket team, and associate members such as Ireland women's cricket team, Thailand women's national cricket team, Netherlands women's national cricket team, and Scotland women's national cricket team. The ICC's 2018 decision to grant T20I status to all member matches expanded participation among teams like Uganda women's national cricket team, Papua New Guinea women's national cricket team, United States women's national cricket team, and Canada women's national cricket team, affecting ranking lists maintained by the ICC Women's T20I Rankings and qualification pathways for events like the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier.
Individual and team records are tracked by statisticians and outlets such as ESPNcricinfo, CricketArchive, and national boards. Batting records include high scores by players such as Deepti Sharma, Sophie Devine, Smriti Mandhana, and Chamari Athapaththu; bowling feats include figures by Anisa Mohammed, Jhulan Goswami, Ellyse Perry, and Nida Dar. Team milestones involve highest totals and successful chases recorded by Australia national women's cricket team and England women's cricket team at grounds like MCG and The Oval. Records also cover fastest half-centuries by players like Elyse Villani, wicketkeeping dismissals by Alyssa Healy and Sarah Taylor, and captaincy records held by Meg Lanning and Suzie Bates.
The premier international tournament is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, first held in 2009 and featuring champions including Australia national women's cricket team, England women's cricket team, and India women's national cricket team. Regional qualifiers are administered by regional bodies such as Asian Cricket Council and European Cricket Council feeding into global events. Domestic and franchise competitions influencing international form include the Women's Big Bash League, Women's Premier League, The Hundred, Kia Super League, and bilateral series like the Rose Bowl series between Australia national women's cricket team and New Zealand women's national cricket team. Multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games have incorporated women's Twenty20 events, integrating cricket with multisport governance by bodies like the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The format accelerated professional contracts and commercial growth for athletes registered with boards like Cricket Australia and Board of Control for Cricket in India, and fostered visibility through broadcasters like Sky Sports and Star Sports and sponsors including multinational brands. Development programs from the International Cricket Council and regional bodies supported grassroots expansion in countries such as Thailand, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea, while advocacy groups and unions including the Australian Cricketers' Association and Professional Cricketers' Association advanced players' welfare. The format's popularity influenced gender equity discussions within organizations like the International Olympic Committee and created crossover opportunities with athletes from other sports franchises such as AFL Women's and WNBA for media exposure.
Regulation rests with the International Cricket Council in consultation with national boards including Cricket Australia, Board of Control for Cricket in India, England and Wales Cricket Board, New Zealand Cricket, and Cricket South Africa. Playing conditions derive from the Marylebone Cricket Club's laws applied by ICC regulations, with umpires and referees appointed from panels maintained by the ICC Umpires and Referees Panel and national umpiring organizations. Anti-corruption measures are enforced by the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit working with national integrity units and law-enforcement collaborations when required.