Here’s a fact that surprises everyone: women played their first cricket World Cup before men!
In what year was the first-ever women’s ODI World Cup played? The answer is 1973 – two full years before men even started their tournament.
This wasn’t just another sports event. It was a revolutionary moment that changed everything.
When people ask in what year the first-ever women’s ODI World Cup played, they’re asking about when women decided to lead instead of follow.
The 1973 tournament in England became the blueprint for every cricket World Cup that followed.
The story involves incredible determination and generous funding. From June to July 1973, seven teams gathered in England to make history.
This tournament proved that women’s cricket deserved recognition and respect worldwide.
In What Year Was The First-Ever Women’s ODI World Cup Played?
📅 Quick Answer Box
The first-ever women’s ODI World Cup was played in 1973 in England, featuring seven teams from June 20 to July 28.
The Road to 1973: Pre-Tournament Timeline
Creating the world’s first cricket World Cup required careful planning and dedicated people who believed in the vision.
1971: The Dream Begins
The journey started with Rachael Heyhoe Flint, England’s cricket captain, who had a revolutionary idea for a women’s world tournament.
- Rachael Heyhoe Flint developed the World Cup concept
- She approached businessman Sir Jack Hayward for funding
- Hayward immediately supported the idea with £40,000
- This amount was equivalent to hundreds of thousands today
- The partnership created the foundation for cricket history
1972: Planning Phase
With funding secured, organizers faced the challenge of creating something completely new.
- Team invitations sent to cricket-playing nations worldwide
- International Women’s Cricket Council was formed for the organization
- Venue negotiations across multiple English counties
- Official rules and regulations drafted from scratch
- Media partnerships established for proper coverage
Early 1973: Final Preparations
As the tournament approached, excitement built throughout the cricket community.
- 60-over format finalized for all matches
- Seven teams confirmed their participation
- Round-robin format chosen over knockout system
- Equipment standards have been established for all teams
- Practice facilities are arranged for visiting nations
| Planning Phase | Key Activities | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Concept development | 1971 |
| Funding | £40,000 secured | 1971 |
| Organization | Team invitations sent | 1972 |
| Preparation | Final arrangements | Early 1973 |
Tournament Timeline: June-July 1973
The tournament delivered competitive cricket and memorable moments that changed sports history forever.
Week 1-2: Tournament Begins
June 20, 1973 marked the beginning of cricket World Cup history with impressive opening matches.
- England started as favorites on home soil
- Australia immediately showed serious championship intentions
- Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago represented Caribbean cricket
- New Zealand brought their characteristic fighting spirit
- International XI provided interesting mix of global talent
- Young England demonstrated depth of English cricket
Week 3-4: Competition Intensifies
As teams faced each other, clear patterns emerged and rivalries developed.
- England and Australia established themselves as strongest teams
- Every match remained competitive and entertaining
- Individual performances began creating newspaper headlines
- Media coverage expanded as quality impressed observers
- Spectator numbers grew steadily throughout England
Week 5-6: Historic Final
The tournament climaxed on July 28, 1973, with England facing Australia in the decisive match.
- Match played at Edgbaston, Birmingham
- England won toss and chose to bat first
- England scored impressive 279/3 in 60 overs
- Enid Bakewell played magnificent innings of 118 runs
- Captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint contributed crucial 64 runs
- Australia struggled in chase, managing only 187/9
- England won by commanding 92-run margin
| Final Match Details | England | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 279/3 | 187/9 |
| Overs | 60 | 60 |
| Top Scorer | Enid Bakewell (118) | Not specified |
| Captain | Rachael Heyhoe Flint (64) | Not specified |
| Result | Winners | Runners-up |
Post-1973: Immediate Impact and Future Development
The tournament’s success created lasting changes in cricket and women’s sports globally.
1975: Men Follow Women’s Template
The men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975 essentially copied the successful women’s format.
- Same venue strategy adopted for men’s tournament
- Round-robin format copied exactly from women’s competition
- Organizational structures developed in 1973 reused
- Media coverage strategies followed women’s model
- Trophy presentation ceremonies used similar protocols
1978: Second Women’s World Cup
Success guaranteed future tournaments, with India hosting the second championship.
- Eight teams participated instead of original seven
- Prize money introduced for first time
- Television coverage reached international audiences
- Player development programs began emerging worldwide
- Local organizing committees established globally
Modern Evolution
Women’s cricket continued growing from the 1973 foundation.
- Format changed from 60 overs to 50 overs
- ICC took over organization bringing greater resources
- Professional leagues developed with substantial prize money
- Global television coverage attracts millions of viewers
- Equipment and facilities improved dramatically
| Evolution Comparison | 1973 | Modern |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 60 overs | 50 overs |
| Teams | 7 | 8-10 |
| Prize Money | None | Millions |
| TV Coverage | Limited | Global |
| Status | Amateur | Professional |
Tournament Statistics and Records
The 1973 tournament produced several memorable records and achievements.
Top Performers
- Highest Run Scorer: Enid Bakewell (264 runs total)
- Most Wickets: Rosalind Heggs (12 wickets)
- Highest Individual Score: Enid Bakewell (118 in final)
- Best Captain: Rachael Heyhoe Flint (England)
Tournament Records
- Total Matches Played: 21
- Duration: 39 days (June 20 – July 28)
- Venues: Multiple across England
- Attendance: Growing throughout the tournament
- Media Coverage: Extensive for women’s cricket
| Team Performance | Matches | Wins | Final Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 6 | 6 | Champions |
| Australia | 6 | 5 | Runners-up |
| New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 3rd Place |
| International XI | 6 | 3 | 4th Place |
| Young England | 6 | 2 | 5th Place |
| Jamaica | 6 | 1 | 6th Place |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 6 | 0 | 7th Place |
FAQs:
In what year was the first-ever women’s ODI World Cup played and who won it?
The first-ever women’s ODI World Cup was played in 1973, and England won by defeating Australia by 92 runs in the final match.
How many teams participated in the inaugural women’s World Cup?
Seven teams participated: England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, International XI, and Young England.
What was unique about the 1973 tournament format?
- 60 overs per side instead of modern 50 overs
- Round-robin format with no knockout stages
- Team with most points declared winner
- No official final match structure
Who were the key people behind organizing this historic tournament?
- Rachael Heyhoe Flint: Visionary captain who conceived the idea
- Sir Jack Hayward: Businessman who funded with £40,000
- International Women’s Cricket Council: Organizing body
How did this tournament influence men’s cricket?
The 1975 men’s World Cup directly copied the organizational structure, venue strategy, and round-robin format pioneered by women in 1973.
What recognition did the winners receive?
- Trophy presented by Princess Anne
- Reception at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Edward Heath
- International recognition for the England team
- Media coverage across multiple countries
Also Check: India National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Conclusion: How 1973 Changed Everything
When people ask in what year was the first-ever women’s ODI World Cup played, the answer 1973 represents far more than just a date.
It represents the moment when women’s cricket changed forever and established the template for all future cricket World Cups.
The 1973 tournament proved several important points:
- Women could organize professional international competitions
- Female athletes deserve proper funding and recognition
- Women’s cricket was competitive and entertaining
- International tournaments could be commercially successful
- Leadership in sports can come from unexpected sources
Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s vision, combined with Sir Jack Hayward’s generous support, created something that continues to influence cricket today.
Every modern cricket World Cup, whether men’s or women’s, uses organizational principles first established in 1973.
The legacy extends beyond cricket itself. This tournament showed other women’s sports that professional, well-organized international competitions were possible.
It demonstrated that female athletes could attract audiences, media coverage, and financial support when given proper opportunities.
Modern professional women’s cricket, with packed stadiums and global television coverage, traces its origins directly to that groundbreaking tournament in England.
The brave women who participated in 1973 didn’t just play cricket – they changed the sporting world forever.
Today, when female cricketers compete for millions in prize money with worldwide audiences, they owe their opportunities to those pioneers who proved that women’s cricket deserved serious attention.
The answer to in what year was the first-ever women’s ODI World Cup played will always be 1973, but the impact continues growing stronger every year.
