The ICC Women’s World Cup 2024 will be “the first World Cup where women will receive the same prize money as their male counterparts, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s history,” according to the ICC.
The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup winner will receive US$2.34 million, a 134 per cent increase on the US$1 million the 2023 winner (Australia) received.
The runners-up will also receive a 134 per cent increase from US$500,000 (South Africa in 2023) to US$1.17 million. The two losing semi-finalists will also receive an increase in earnings from US$210,000 in 2023 to US$675,000 in 2024.
There are also increases in earnings for wins in the group stage and for the teams that do not make it into the semi-finals. Overall, the total earnings increase from the 2023 World Cup is 225 per cent, from US$2.45 million to US$7,958,080.
Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy, will seek to continue her team’s dominance by winning their seventh title, already winning six (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023) of the previous eight editions. England won the inaugural World Cup in 2009, and the West Indies won in 2016. Australia has played seven of the eight finals. Although Australia will start as a favourite, they can expect keen competition from England and India. Australia’s experience and versatility in batting, power hitting, bowling diversity—pace and spin—and fielding give them a starting edge over their rivals. The team’s winning culture is central to its competitiveness.
The World Cup’s ninth edition will feature ten teams. Group A comprises Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Group B comprises England, South Africa, the West Indies, Scotland, and Bangladesh. The first two teams in each group will contest the semi-finals, with the winners playing the finals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on October 20.
Since the last World Cup in 2023, England, India, and Sri Lanka have been making strides towards matching the benchmark established by Australia with increases in strike rates, the number of fours and sixes, reductions in dot ball percentages, greater bowling variety and subtleness, and improved fitness and fielding. Some of the game-changers are Hayley Matthews, Chamari Athapaththu, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Thalia McGrath, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Lauren Bell, Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr, Laura Wolvaardt, and Marizanne Kapp, among others.
The continued evolution of the women’s game is the product of development structures, especially in Australia, England, and now India, with the growth of franchise leagues such as the Women Big Bash League (WBBL), One Hundred, and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India.
The winners of the seven editions of the World Cup have been:
• 2009: England defeated New Zealand by six wickets.
• 2010: Australia defeated New Zealand by three runs.
• 2012: Australia defeated England by four runs.
• 2014: Australia defeated England by six wickets.
• 2016: West Indies defeated Australia by eight wickets.
• 2018: Australia defeated England by eight wickets.
• 2020: Australia defeated India by 85 runs.
• 2023: Australia defeated South Africa by 18 runs.
Australia’s winning percentage is 80.68 per cent, having played 44 games, winning 35, losing eight, and tied one. England’s is 75 per cent, having played 38 games, won 28, lost one, and tied one. The West Indies have a winning percentage of 58.82 per cent, with 20 wins and 14 losses in 34 games. Beth Mooney has the most runs in a World Cup, 259 in 2020, followed by Meg Lanning 257 in 2014; Stephanie Taylor 246 in 2016; Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) 230 runs in 2023; Alyssa Healy (Australia) 225 in 2018, and New Zealander Aimee Watkins 200 in 2009.
Meg Lanning has the highest T20 World Cup score of 126 against Ireland in 2014, followed by Deandra Dottin 112 against South Africa in 2010; Heather Knight (England) 108 against Thailand in 2020; Harmanpreet Kaur (India) 103 against New Zealand in 2018, Muneeba Ali (Pakistan) 102 against Ireland in 2023, and Lizelle Lee (South Africa) 101 against Thailand in 2020.
Megan Schutt (Australia) took 13 wickets in 2020 to match Anya Shrubsole (England) 13 wickets in 2014 for the most wickets in a World Cup. Sophie Ecclestone (England) took 11 wickets in 2023, and Julie Hunter (Australia) took 11 in 2012, while Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), and Megan Schutt took ten wickets each in 2018.
Deandra Dottin has the best bowling figures in World Cup history, with 5/5 against Bangladesh in 2018. Sune Luus (South Africa), 5/8 against Ireland in 2016, has the second-best figures, followed by Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), 5/12 against New Zealand in 2023, and Renuka Singh (India), 5/15 against England in 2023.
The West Indies’ performance has declined since winning the 2016 World Cup, especially against Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. Deandra Dottin’s return will reunite the ‘big three’—Matthews, Taylor, and Dottin. However, to play consistently over six matches will require the likes of Chinelle Henry, Shemaine Campbelle, Chedean Nation, and Karishma Ramharack to put their hands up and be counted.
It is unfair to ask that Matthews consistently carry the weight of the team’s batting, bowling, and fielding while also being captain. However, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, and maybe Matthews and company have a few tricks up their sleeves to win their second title and capture the US$2.34 million first prize.