Brace yourself for Birmingham, cricket is back in the Commonwealth Games!

That was the big news this week from the ICC and the CWG Federation as the two international sports bodies confirmed women’s T20 will be a medal sport at Birmingham 2022.

It’s a first for women and a first for T20, even though this isn’t the first time cricket has been included as a Commonwealth Games sport. The men’s 50-over version made a one-off appearance at Kuala Lumpur 1988, South Africa beating Australia for the gold medal. This time, however, it’s the women on centre stage.

Quirky fact — it will be the first time there are more women’s sporting events than men’s sporting events at the Commonwealths, and, there’s talk T20 could well be an Olympic sport as well before too long. Altogether, 4,500 athletes will compete in Birmingham, across 18 different sports.

Eight teams from the leading Commonwealth countries will be in the running for the medals, presenting a fantastic opportunity for the WHITE FERNS to make history. And how good would it be to have a few Commonwealth Games medalists from CD in our midst!

Edgbaston, one of the most iconic grounds in the UK, is the venue for all the T20s at the Games, played between 27 July and 7 August 2022.

If you’re an up-and-coming female cricketer in our region, there’s never a better time to earn the fern and go for gold!

WHAT THEY SAID:

     “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” —  Manu Sawhney, Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council

     “Today is an historic day and we are delighted to welcome the sport of cricket back to the Commonwealth Games. We believe the Commonwealth Games will be a fantastic platform to showcase the exciting sport of Women’s T20 and continue to help grow the game globally” — CGF President Dane Louise Martin DBE

     “To expose the women’s game to such a different global audience, and to be part of such a prestigious event such as the Commonwealth Games – it’s a huge boost at a time of real momentum. Having the opportunity to play against countries we currently don’t usually compete with will be unique and only a good thing for the growth of the game” — WHITE FERNS captain Amy Satterthwaite.

Article added: Thursday 15 August 2019

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