Women’s cricket to be a part of 2022 Commonwealth Games

Cricket will make a comeback at the Commonwealth Games after 1998 at the 2022 edition in Birmingham. The top 8 ranked women’s cricket teams under the Commonwealth will compete in T20 format across eight days. All the matches during the 2022 edition will take place at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.

The last time cricket featured at the Commonwealth Games was in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur. The game was played in a 50-over format with South Africa winning the Gold medal after beating Australia.

Landmark moment for Women’s Cricket

Commonwealth Games Foundation President Dame Louise Martin confirmed the news in a statement saying:

“Today is a historic day and we are delighted to welcome the sport of cricket back to the Commonwealth Games. Cricket was last played in the Games at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 when the men’s 50-overs-a-side competition was won by South Africa and featured icons of the sport including Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.”

He further added, claiming cricket could get great exposure from the Commonwealth Games:

“We believe the Commonwealth Games will be a fantastic platform to showcase the exciting sport of Women’s T20 Cricket and continue to help grow the game globally. We would like to thank the International Cricket Council for their hard work and efforts to ensure that the sport is in the Games in Birmingham as we believe it will contribute to a spectacular and vibrant multi-sport event. Cricket is truly a Commonwealth sport and we hope Birmingham 2022 will be the start of a long and successful partnership between Women’s Cricket and the Games.”

The ICC was also delighted with the inclusion of cricket at CWG. Manu Sawhney, Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council said in a statement:

“This is a truly historic moment for women’s cricket and for the global cricket community, who were united in their support of this bid. Women’s cricket continues to go from strength to strength, and we are delighted and honoured the Commonwealth Games Associations voted to include Women’s T20 cricket at Birmingham 2022.”

The quadrennial event is set to take place at Birmingham between 27 July-7 August 2022.