Women’s cricket schedule for 2017

As a cricket lover, I am sure you are well aware of the upcoming schedules of matches around the world, right. But are you also aware of the Women’s cricket tournaments that are lined up for the year 2017? I am sure, you have never thought of it. Here’s a quick glance at the schedule for 2017 …

Apart from the ICC Women’s World Cup in England and Wales in June and July, Australia will host a multi-format series later in the year that will feature the first-ever Women’s Day-Night Test match at the North Sydney Oval.

Slowly but steadily, all Test-playing nations have introduced central contracts. Australia’s WBBL, now two seasons old, and England’s Women’s Cricket Super League have been massive hits, and the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2016 in India gave a glimpse of the potential that remains to be tapped.

Things have been moving rapidly in women’s cricket since the International Cricket Council took over the International Women’s Cricket Council in 2005. New benchmarks are expected to be set when the 11th edition of the Women’s World Cup takes place across four venues in England from June 24 this year.

India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were the four teams to qualify through the Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 held in Colombo. They will join Australia, the defending champions, England, New Zealand and West Indies to complete the line-up. The top eight countries played three matches against each other in the ICC Women’s Championship, with the top four earning automatic qualification.

Held from 2014 onwards, the Championship produced some memorable moments. Meg Lanning topped the batting charts with 1,232 runs in 21 matches, while Ellyse Perry followed her on the second spot with 985 runs. Jess Jonassen was the best bowler with 31 wickets. The trio played a big role in Australia winning 18 matches to top the table.

The bottom four teams – India, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – joined Bangladesh, Ireland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Scotland and Papua New Guinea to play the Qualifiers in Colombo.