ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History is a story of grit, glory, and groundbreaking milestones. Launched in 1973 — two years before the men’s tournament — this championship is the oldest global women’s sporting event. Over 13 editions, Australia has claimed 7 titles, England 4, and New Zealand 1. The 2025 final, set for November 2 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, pits India against South Africa in a historic clash. Will India win its first title on home soil? Or will South Africa shock the world in their maiden final?
From Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s pioneering leadership to Alyssa Healy’s record-breaking 170 in 2022, this tournament has produced unforgettable moments. This 3,500+ word guide covers every winner, captain, player of the match, record, and the dramatic rise of women’s cricket — all in simple, fan-friendly language.
Evolution of the Women’s World Cup: 1973 to 2025
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup began as a dream. In 1973, women played ODIs before the format was even officially recognized. The first edition had no sponsor, no prize money — just passion.
1973–1978: The Amateur Era
- 7 teams, round-robin format
- No final — winner decided by points
- England won in 1973 with 20 points
- Australia took the 1978 title in India with 6 points
1982–1997: Knockout Drama Begins
- Finals introduced in 1982
- Australia started its golden run (3 straight titles)
- Belinda Clark’s 229* in 1997 remains the highest individual score
2000–2013: Global Growth
- New Zealand won in 2000 — their only title
- India reached first final in 2005
- West Indies stunned in 2013 final
2017–2025: Professional Revolution
- Equal prize money with men’s World Cup (from 2025)
- Record viewership: 1.2 billion impressions in 2022
- 2025 co-hosted by India & Sri Lanka — first dual-nation event
Fun Fact: The 1973 World Cup raised funds through player bake sales and donations!
Complete Winners List (1973–2025)
Here’s the full ICC Women’s ODI World Cup winners list with captains, margins, and key players.
| Edition | Year | Winner | Result | Runner-Up | Host | Final Venue | Captain | Player of the Match | Player of the Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1973 | England | 20 pts | Australia | England | No final | Rachael Heyhoe Flint | N/A | N/A |
| 2nd | 1978 | Australia | 6 pts | England | India | No final | Margaret Jennings | N/A | N/A |
| 3rd | 1982 | Australia | 3 wkts | England | New Zealand | Lancaster Park | Sharon Tredrea | Janette Brittin (Eng) | N/A |
| 4th | 1988 | Australia | 8 wkts | England | Australia | MCG | Sharon Tredrea | Lyn Fullston (Aus) | Carole Hodges (Eng) |
| 5th | 1993 | England | 67 runs | New Zealand | England | Lord’s | Karen Smithies | Clare Taylor (Eng) | Purnima Rau (Ind) |
| 6th | 1997 | Australia | 5 wkts | New Zealand | India | Eden Gardens | Belinda Clark | Belinda Clark (93*) | Debbie Hockley (NZ) |
| 7th | 2000 | New Zealand | 4 runs | Australia | New Zealand | Lincoln | Emily Drumm | Katrina Keenan | Lisa Keightley (Aus) |
| 8th | 2005 | Australia | 98 runs | India | South Africa | Centurion | Belinda Clark | Karen Rolton (107*) | Karen Rolton |
| 9th | 2009 | England | 4 wkts | New Zealand | Australia | North Sydney Oval | Charlotte Edwards | Claire Taylor | Claire Taylor |
| 10th | 2013 | Australia | 114 runs | West Indies | India | Brabourne | Jodie Fields | Jess Cameron (75) | Suzie Bates (NZ) |
| 11th | 2017 | England | 9 runs | India | England | Lord’s | Heather Knight | Anya Shrubsole (6/46) | Tammy Beaumont |
| 12th | 2022 | Australia | 71 runs | England | New Zealand | Hagley Oval | Meg Lanning | Alyssa Healy (170) | Alyssa Healy (509 runs) |
| 13th | 2025 | TBD | TBD | India vs South Africa | India/Sri Lanka | DY Patil, Navi Mumbai | Harmanpreet Kaur / Laura Wolvaardt | TBD | TBD |
Australia’s Dominance: 7 titles, never lost a final (7–0 record)
Team Performance Analysis: Who Rules the World?
Australia owns women’s ODI cricket. But cracks are showing.
Overall Team Stats (Up to 2022 + 2025 Update)
| Team | Apps | Matches | Won | Lost | Tie | NR | Win % | Best Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 13 | 100 | 85 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 86.73% | 7x Champions |
| England | 13 | 100 | 67 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 68.36% | 4x Champions |
| New Zealand | 13 | 94 | 55 | 34 | 2 | 3 | 60.43% | 1x Champion |
| India | 11 | 78 | 41 | 34 | 1 | 2 | 53.94% | 2025 Finalist |
| South Africa | 8 | 54 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 50.00% | |
| West Indies | 8 | 46 | 16 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 34.78% | Runner-up 2013 |
| Sri Lanka | 7 | 41 | 9 | 29 | 0 | 2 | 23.68% | Super 8s |
| Pakistan | 6 | 37 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 3 | 8.82% | Super 6s |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 14 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 15.38% | Group Stage |
2025 Shock: Australia knocked out in semifinals by South Africa!
Host Nation Success Rate
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | England | Champions |
| 1978 | India | 4th |
| 1982 | New Zealand | 3rd |
| 1988 | Australia | Champions |
| 1993 | England | Champions |
| 1997 | India | Semis |
| 2000 | New Zealand | Champions |
| 2005 | South Africa | 7th |
| 2009 | Australia | 4th |
| 2013 | India | 7th |
| 2017 | England | Champions |
| 2022 | New Zealand | 6th |
| 2025 | India/Sri Lanka | India in Final |
Stat: Hosts win 38% of titles (5 out of 13)
Legends & All-Time Records
Some performances are etched in cricket folklore.
Most Career Runs
| Player | Team | Runs | Inns | Avg | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie Hockley | NZ | 1,501 | 34 | 60.04 | 1982–2000 |
| Belinda Clark | Aus | 1,245 | 28 | 52.43 | 1993–2005 |
| Karen Rolton | Aus | 1,031 | 22 | 74.92 | 1997–2009 |
| Charlotte Edwards | Eng | 987 | 30 | 38.03 | 1997–2013 |
| Mithali Raj | Ind | 912 | 26 | 45.60 | 2000–2017 |
Highest Individual Scores
| Player | Score | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belinda Clark | 229* | Denmark | 1997 |
| Alyssa Healy | 170 | England | 2022 |
| Karen Rolton | 107* | India | 2005 |
| Lisa Keightley | 156* | Pakistan | 1997 |
| Debbie Hockley | 122 | India | 1997 |
Most Career Wickets
| Player | Team | Wickets | Balls | Avg | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marizanne Kapp | SA | 44 | 1,200+ | 20.1 | 2009–2025 |
| Jhulan Goswami | Ind | 43 | 1,800+ | 22.4 | 2000–2022 |
| Lyn Fullston | Aus | 39 | 1,500+ | 18.2 | 1982–1988 |
| Cathryn Fitzpatrick | Aus | 33 | 1,200+ | 16.8 | 1993–2005 |
| Clare Taylor | Eng | 32 | 1,100+ | 19.5 | 1993–2005 |
Best Bowling in an Innings
| Player | Figures | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alana King | 7/18 | South Africa | 2025 |
| Jackie Lord | 6/10 | India | 1978 |
| Anya Shrubsole | 6/46 | India | 2017 |
| Glenys Page | 6/20 | Trinidad | 1973 |
ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Full Preview
The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup is bigger, bolder, and more competitive than ever.
Qualified Teams & Captains
| Team | Captain | Key Player | ICC Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Harmanpreet Kaur | Smriti Mandhana | 3 |
| South Africa | Laura Wolvaardt | Marizanne Kapp | 4 |
| Australia | Alyssa Healy | Ellyse Perry | 1 |
| England | Heather Knight | Nat Sciver-Brunt | 2 |
| New Zealand | Sophie Devine | Amelia Kerr | 5 |
| West Indies | Hayley Matthews | Stafanie Taylor | 7 |
| Pakistan | Nida Dar | Bismah Maroof | 8 |
| Bangladesh | Nigar Sultana | Nahida Akter | 9 |
Key Matches (Selected)
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21 | India vs New Zealand | Colombo | 2:00 PM |
| Oct 5 | Australia vs South Africa | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| Oct 15 | India vs Pakistan | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| Nov 2 | FINAL: India vs South Africa | DY Patil, Navi Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
Prize Money (2025)
| Position | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|
| Winner | $2.2 million |
| Runner-up | $900,000 |
| Semifinalists | $400,000 each |
| 5th–8th | $150,000 each |
Historic: First time prize money equals men’s World Cup
Hosting Impact & Economic Boost
Hosting the World Cup is a game-changer.
- 2025 Economic Impact: Estimated $150 million boost to India & Sri Lanka
- Stadium Upgrades: DY Patil, Bengaluru, Colombo modernized
- Tourism Surge: 50,000+ international fans expected
- Attendance Record: 2022 final — 35,000 at Hagley Oval
Case Study: England 2017 — Lord’s sold out in 48 hours
Controversies & Game-Changing Moments
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History Even legends have drama.
- 2000 Final Run-Out: Belinda Clark given out — Australia lost by 4 runs
- 2017 Final Collapse: India 191/3 → 219 all out
- 2022 DRS Debate: England’s run-out call in final
- Pay Parity Win (2023): ICC announces equal prize money from 2025
Future of Women’s Cricket World Cup
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History What’s next?
- 2029 World Cup: Likely in England, 10 teams
- T10 Threat?: Short-format leagues growing
- Associate Growth: Ireland, Thailand pushing for spots
- Franchise Boost: WPL, WBBL feeding talent
Quote from Harmanpreet Kaur: “2025 is our chance. We’ve waited 50 years. This is for every girl playing gully cricket.”
Quick Hits for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History
1. Who has won the most ICC Women’s World Cups? Australia — 7 times.
2. When is the 2025 Women’s World Cup final? November 2, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
3. Has India ever won the World Cup? No, but reached finals in 2005, 2017, and 2025.
4. What is the highest score in Women’s World Cup history? 229* by Belinda Clark (Aus) vs Denmark, 1997.
5. Who is the leading run-scorer? Debbie Hockley (NZ) — 1,501 runs.
6. Is prize money equal to men’s? Yes, from 2025 onward.
7. Who took 6 wickets in a final? Anya Shrubsole (Eng) — 6/46 vs India, 2017.
8. How many teams in 2025? 8 teams.
9. Who won Player of the Tournament in 2022? Alyssa Healy — 509 runs.
10. Where to watch 2025 final in India? Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar (live).
IND-W vs RSA-W Final 2025 Preview!
Final Thoughts
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History is more than stats — it’s a movement. From 1973 bake sales to 2025’s $2.2 million prize, women’s cricket has arrived. Australia may rule, but India and South Africa are ready to write new chapters.
Who will lift the trophy on November 2? Your prediction? Comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History
1. What is the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History from 1973 to 2025?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup began in 1973 — two years before the men’s event. England won the first title on home soil. Australia dominates with 7 wins (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022). England has 4, and New Zealand 1. The 2025 final between India and South Africa is set for November 2 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
2. Who has won the most ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup titles?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History Australia has won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 7 times — the most in history. They’ve never lost a final (7–0 record). Their latest victory was in 2022, beating England by 71 runs, with Alyssa Healy scoring a record 170.
3. When and where is the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final will be played on November 2, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. It’s a historic India vs South Africa clash — India’s third final, South Africa’s first. Match starts at 2:00 PM IST.
4. Has India ever won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History No, India has never won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. They were runners-up in 2005 (lost to Australia by 98 runs) and 2017 (lost to England by 9 runs). In 2025, they’re in the final again — can Harmanpreet Kaur end the drought?
5. What is the highest score in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History The highest individual score is 229 by Belinda Clark* (Australia) vs Denmark in 1997 at Mumbai. The highest team total is 412/3 by Australia vs Denmark in the same tournament. Alyssa Healy’s 170 in the 2022 final is the highest in a final.
6. Who is the leading run-scorer in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History Debbie Hockley (New Zealand) tops the list with 1,501 runs in 34 innings (avg. 60.04) from 1982 to 2000. She played in five World Cups and was Player of the Series in 1997. Mithali Raj (India) is fifth with 912 runs.
7. Who took the best bowling figures in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History Alana King (Australia) took 7/18 against South Africa in the 2025 semifinals — the best ever. Before that, Jackie Lord (NZ) held the record with 6/10 vs India in 1978. Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 in the 2017 final remains iconic.
8. Is the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 prize money equal to men’s?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History Yes! For the first time, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has equal prize money with the men’s event. The winner gets $2.2 million, runner-up $900,000, and semifinalists $400,000 each — a huge leap from $1.32 million total in 2022.
9. How many teams are playing in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History 8 teams are competing in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The top 8 from the ICC Women’s Championship qualified automatically.
10. Where to watch the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final in India?
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup History You can watch the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final live on Star Sports Network (TV) and Disney+ Hotstar (streaming) in India. Free highlights and live scores are available on the ICC website and IPL Star blog.