Women’s T20 World Cup can have similar impact

June 8, 2026

SUFFOLK Cricket Women’s & Girls’ Officer Amy Richford says the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup can have a similar impact on the sport in this country to 2017.

England defeated India by nine runs in a dramatic finale to the Women’s World Cup Final at Lord’s in the 50-over version nine years ago.

This summer’s T20 World Cup starts on Friday when England face Sri Lanka at Edgbaston and culminates in the final at Lord’s on Sunday, July 5th.

Amy (pictured above) has been working for Suffolk Cricket Ltd since September 2024, initially as maternity cover before becoming a full-time member of staff in January last year.

She said: “I was at the 2017 final myself when England won the World Cup and the atmosphere and buzz around the sport were phenomenal.

“There was definitely a surge of women and girls playing cricket after this event, especially with England winning on home soil.

“At the time, grounds were packed, bringing in record-breaking numbers of spectators including 24,000 at Lord’s on the day of the final.

“More than 180 million people worldwide are estimated to have watched the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup and viewing hours increased by almost 300% compared to the previous event in 2013!”

She is once again looking forward to a home Women’s World Cup, and particularly seeing the world’s best players performing to the best of their abilities on the biggest stage.

Amy said: “The playing field within the women’s game is definitely starting to level out, so I expect there to be some close matches throughout the tournament.

“Having a home World Cup provides great visibility for our sport. Every major women’s tournament seems to push the game further and we have seen this in other sports with the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby.”

Amy is hoping this event will have a similar impact to that of nine years ago, when Anya Shrubsole claimed 6 for 46 to clinch victory for the home nation.

“Women’s and girls’ cricket has continued to grow year-on-year across the country since the success in 2017. I am hoping that England do well again and that there is a similar impact.

“It is great for young girls to have role models in the sport to look up to. We have seen this in football with Alessio Russo and Ellie Kildunne in the Red Roses.

“Within Suffolk, women’s and girls’ softball continues to grow with new teams forming throughout the county. Softball cricket is a great entry into the sport and can really help clubs form a strong foundation to build upon. It is also an extremely social and fun way to begin playing cricket,” she said.

For more information on women’s & girls’ cricket in the county, please contact Amy on 07928 395508 or via email arichford@suffolkcricket.org

 

 

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