The Women’s Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship for women’s one-day international cricket, first held in 1973. It stands as the oldest global tournament in cricket history, predating the men’s World Cup by two years.
Out of 13 editions played to date, Australia dominates with 7 titles, England has won 4 championships, while New Zealand and India have claimed one title each.
The 2025 edition marked a historic moment as India won their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at Navi Mumbai.
| Statistic | Value |
| Total Editions | 13 (1973-2025) |
| Australia Titles | 7 |
| England Titles | 4 |
| New Zealand Titles | 1 |
| India Titles | 1 |
| Total Teams Participated | 15+ |
| Host Countries | 6 |
| Tournament Frequency | Every 4 years (since 2005) |
Complete Women’s Cricket World Cup Winners List (1973-2025)
| Year | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Result | Captain | Highlight |
| 1973 | England | England | Australia | League format | Rachael Heyhoe Flint | Inaugural tournament, Enid Bakewell’s 118 |
| 1978 | India | Australia | England | Final match | Margaret Jennings | Australia’s first title |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Australia | England | 3 wickets | Sharon Tredrea | First proper knockout final |
| 1988 | Australia | Australia | England | 2 wickets | Sharon Tredrea | Australia’s hat-trick |
| 1993 | England | England | New Zealand | 67 runs | Karen Smithies | England’s second title |
| 1997 | India | Australia | New Zealand | 5 wickets | Belinda Clark | 80,000 crowd at Eden Gardens |
| 2000 | New Zealand | New Zealand | Australia | 4 runs | Emily Drumm | Breaking Australia’s dominance |
| 2005 | South Africa | Australia | India | 8 wickets | Karen Rolton’s 107* | Australia’s fifth title |
| 2009 | Australia | England | New Zealand | 4 wickets | Claire Taylor’s 76* | England’s third title |
| 2013 | West Indies | Australia | West Indies | 114 runs | Meg Lanning | Australia’s sixth title |
| 2017 | England | England | India | 9 runs | Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 | Greatest women’s cricket match |
| 2022 | New Zealand | Australia | England | 71 runs | Alyssa Healy’s 170 | Australia’s seventh title |
| 2025 | India/Sri Lanka | India | South Africa | 52 runs | Harmanpreet Kaur | India’s maiden title |
Australia’s Dominance: Seven World Cups (1978-2022)
Australia has established itself as the most successful team in Women’s Cricket World Cup history with 7 titles across four decades. Their first victory came in 1978 under Margaret Jennings’ captaincy in India.
Key Australian Championship Years:
- 1978: Margaret Jennings led Australia to first title
- 1982: Sharon Tredrea defended championship with three-wicket win
- 1988: Australia won hat-trick of titles at home
- 1997: Belinda Clark’s unbeaten 91 sealed fourth title
- 2005: Karen Rolton’s 107 not out at Johannesburg
- 2013: Meg Lanning’s team won sixth title in West Indies
- 2022: Alyssa Healy’s record 170 in Christchurch final
Australia’s success stems from consistent strength in batting, bowling, and captaincy. The team has appeared in nearly every final since 1982, showcasing remarkable longevity.
For comprehensive match statistics and player records from Australian victories, check Women’s cricket archives on Cricinfo for detailed tournament histories.
England’s Journey: Four Titles in Three Decades
England has won the Women’s Cricket World Cup four times, establishing itself as the second-most successful team. Their first triumph came at home in 1973 under Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s legendary captaincy.
England’s Championship Victories:
- 1973: Inaugurated the tournament with Enid Bakewell’s 118
- 1993: Karen Smithies led team to second title at Lord’s
- 2009: Claire Taylor’s aggressive batting won third crown
- 2017: Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 spelled for dramatic Lord’s final
England’s 2017 victory remains etched in women’s cricket history as one of the greatest matches ever played. The team chased down India’s total in a nail-biting thriller watched by a packed Lord’s crowd.
New Zealand’s Triumph: Breaking the Duopoly (2000)
New Zealand won their first and only Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2000 at home in Lincoln. This victory broke Australia and England’s 27-year stranglehold on the trophy.
Led by Emily Drumm, New Zealand produced a masterclass in defensive cricket. They posted 184 runs before bowling out Australia for just 180 to secure a dramatic four-run victory.
Debbie Hockley’s 79 in that final earned her the Player of the Match award. The win marked New Zealand’s rise as a competitive force in women’s cricket despite winning only once in the tournament’s history.
India’s Historic Victory: First Title in 2025
India created history in 2025 by winning their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title on home soil. The team defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Key Details of India’s Victory:
- Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
- Runner-up: South Africa (maiden final appearance)
- Winning Margin: 52 runs
- Final Score: India 228, South Africa 176
- Tournament Host: Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka
- Significance: First title for India after two previous finals (2005, 2017)
India’s third final appearance proved the charm as the team delivered when it mattered most. The 2025 edition was particularly special as it marked the tournament’s return to South Asia after several editions in other continents.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, combined with strong performances from batters and bowlers, ensured India’s historic triumph. The victory adds India to the elite list of World Cup champions alongside Australia and England.
Memorable Women’s Cricket World Cup Finals
1973 England vs Australia
- Inaugural final (league format)
- Enid Bakewell’s match-winning 118
- England’s dominance established foundations
1997 India vs Australia
- Eden Gardens drew 80,000 spectators
- Belinda Clark’s unbeaten 91
- Cricket’s growing popularity in South Asia
2000 New Zealand vs Australia
- Dramatic four-run victory at Lincoln
- Breaking Australia-England duopoly
- First-time winner’s special moment
2017 England vs India
- Lord’s packed to capacity
- Anya Shrubsole’s historic 6/46 spell
- One of cricket’s greatest matches ever
2025 India vs South Africa
- Navi Mumbai’s maiden hosting
- India’s long-awaited first title
- Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy triumph
Legendary Players in Women’s World Cup History
England’s Greatest Performers
- Enid Bakewell: Inaugural tournament star
- Claire Taylor: 2009 champion with match-winning innings
- Anya Shrubsole: 2017 final heroics (6/46)
Australia’s Champions
- Belinda Clark: 1997 captain who won unbeaten
- Alyssa Healy: Record 170 in 2022 final
- Meg Lanning: Captain of sixth title team
India’s Pioneer
- Harmanpreet Kaur: 2025 winning captain
- Smriti Mandhana: Modern-era batting excellence
- Deepti Sharma: 2025 final contributor
New Zealand’s Hero
- Debbie Hockley: 2000 final match-winner
- Emily Drumm: Captained first title team
Head-to-Head Records in Women’s World Cup
| Team | Titles | Finals | Appearances | Record |
| Australia | 7 | 11 | 13 | Most dominant |
| England | 4 | 9 | 13 | Consistent performer |
| New Zealand | 1 | 5 | 13 | Every edition |
| India | 1 | 3 | 10 | Rising force |
| West Indies | 0 | 1 | 5 | Made one final |
| South Africa | 0 | 1 | 8 | Made one final |
Tournament Evolution and Format Changes
The Women’s Cricket World Cup has evolved significantly since 1973:
- 1973-1993: 60-over matches with league formats
- 1997 onwards: 50-over matches with knockout stages
- 2005: ICC took management; regular four-year cycles began
- 2013: Expanded participation and improved infrastructure
- 2025: Co-hosting model adopted for better reach
Early tournaments faced funding challenges causing six-year gaps. Modern editions maintain consistent four-year intervals with professional organization.
FAQs
Who won the first Women’s Cricket World Cup?
England won the inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1973 held at home. Enid Bakewell’s 118 was instrumental in England’s triumph over Australia.
Which team has won the most Women’s World Cup titles?
Australia has won the most titles with 7 championships. England is second with 4 titles, while New Zealand and India have one each.
When did India win their first World Cup title?
India won their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team defeated South Africa by 52 runs at Navi Mumbai.
How many times has England won the World Cup?
England has won the Women’s Cricket World Cup four times. They won in 1973, 1993, 2009, and 2017 respectively.
What makes the 2017 World Cup final memorable?
The 2017 final at Lord’s between England and India is considered the greatest women’s match ever. Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 spell sealed England’s nine-run victory in a thrilling finish.
Has New Zealand won any World Cup titles?
New Zealand won their only Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2000. They defeated Australia by four runs at home in Lincoln.
How often is the Women’s World Cup held?
The Women’s Cricket World Cup has been held every four years since 2005. Earlier editions had irregular gaps due to funding constraints.
Which country hosted the most World Cups?
India has hosted the Women’s Cricket World Cup four times including 2025. England has hosted three editions while other nations have hosted once or twice.
