It will take a lot to surpass the International Women's Day of 2020; that day saw over 86,000 watched the Women's T20 World Cup final. The Australian team's iconic moment dancing with Katy Perry after the tournament's last ball started to become a memory.
Yesterday we saw two different series being played on the
same day as India played their first international in nearly a year. Much has
been made of India's absence on the international scene. One started to wonder
if the women's team was a high priority in the BCCI.
Today they surprised more than a few people when it was announced
that India will be playing a Test match when they visit England this summer.
India have not played a Test since 2014.
England and Australia have remained the only two sides to
still compete in the longest format. It will be good not just for the fans but
the players of the top nations that there is a prospect of playing Test
cricket.
There was also an announcement by the ICC stating that the Women's
World Cups in both the ODI and T20 formats would be extended to include more
teams. While they both won't take place for a while, it is a step in the right
direction and indicates the ICC know that the women's game is a growth area.
The World Cup will move from 8 teams in 2025 to ten teams in
2029. Similarly, the T20 World cup will move from ten teams in 2024 to 12 teams
in 2026. A six-team T20 Champions Cup will also be introduced in 2027.
It gives hope to the teams outside the top eight ranked
sides of making a World Cup. The appearance of Thailand at last years T20 World
Cup was a joy to behold. They never let themselves down, and it would be great
to see more associate nations have a place at the top table.
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