The upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games, to be hosted in Birmingham, United Kingdom has included Women’s Cricket along with other events. This is the first time since 1998 that cricket will be a part of the Commonwealth Games. 120 female cricketers will compete at Birmingham 2022 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, the home of Warwickshire Cricket Club.
The sport of #cricket returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since Kuala Lumpur in 1998. 120 female cricketers (15 players, 8 teams) will compete at #Birmingham2022 across eight match days at #Edgbaston pic.twitter.com/O7M4gK9tCu
— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) August 13, 2019
Cricket was last included during the Kuala Lumpur games of 1998 and as men’s event. South Africa had clinched the gold medal, beating Australia in the final. It also featured global cricket icons such as Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar. The games in Kuala Lumpur were played in the 50 over format while Birmingham will see eight women’s teams participating in the Twenty 20 format of the game.
Women's T20 Cricket has today been confirmed for Birmingham 2022! 🏏🏏🏏
The last time cricket was at the Commonwealth Games was Kuala Lumpur 1998 where South Africa won gold 🇿🇦🏅
You might recognise a few famous faces from that tournament…https://t.co/c4cjOPi6Sl pic.twitter.com/r3OEit1Q3K
— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) August 13, 2019
The International Cricket Council (ICC) welcomed the inclusion and hoped that it would play a role in strengthening Women’s Cricket.
Women’s T20 Cricket has been confirmed for inclusion at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 👏 pic.twitter.com/2rTfeZ0tKn
— ICC (@ICC) August 13, 2019
Along with it , New Zealand cricketer and former captain of National Women’s Cricket Team, Suzie Bates, thanked the supporters who made the inclusion possible while participating in the celebrations of the same.
It’s happening 🙌🏼 Thanks to everyone who supported getting women’s T/20 cricket into the commonwealth games for the first time #B2022 pic.twitter.com/6qzaYHmUIr
— Suzie Bates (@SuzieWBates) August 13, 2019
The T20 format is the perfect fit for the Commonwealth Games and offers a chance to showcase Women’s Cricket on the global stage to accelerate the growth of the game, inspiring the next generation of cricketers.
The 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games will run between 27 July to 7 August, 2022. It will have the largest ever female and para sport programme in history. Along with Women’s Cricket, Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis are also included.
#Birmingham2022 will have largest ever female and para sport programme in history. Three new sports
Women's T20 Cricket 🏏
Beach volleyball 🏐
Para table tennis 🏓confirmed for the next #CommonwealthGameshttps://t.co/c4cjOPi6Sl pic.twitter.com/YS5oBRw77a
— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) August 13, 2019
