The stage is set for the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 which is set to get underway from September 30. The Women’s ODI World Cup, inaugurated in 1973, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s cricket. Over the decades, it has seen several teams come close to glory, but interestingly, only three nations have managed to lift the trophy. These champions, England, Australia, and New Zealand, have dominated the tournament’s history in different eras. Let’s look at their journeys through the timeline of triumphs.
England (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017)
Women’s cricket history began with a milestone in 1973, two years before the men’s World Cup. Hosted in England, the inaugural tournament saw Rachael Heyhoe-Flint’s England side emerge as the first-ever champions, defeating Australia in the final league stage to claim the title.
England’s second title came two decades later in 1993, again on home soil, under the captaincy of Karen Smithies. They defeated New Zealand at Lord’s, marking a golden moment for women’s cricket in England.
In 2009, England re-emerged as a powerhouse, led by Charlotte Edwards. They beat New Zealand in the final at Sydney, showcasing a new era of professionalism and fitness in women’s cricket.
Their most recent success came in 2017, once again at Lord’s, where Heather Knight’s England scripted a thrilling nine-run victory over India in front of a packed stadium. That win gave England their fourth Women’s World Cup crown, making them the second-most successful team in history.
Australia (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022)
If England pioneered women’s World Cups, Australia redefined dominance. The Aussies won their first title in 1978 in India, led by Margaret Jennings, defeating England in the final. They successfully defended it in 1982, held in New Zealand, and completed a hat-trick of sorts in 1988, showcasing their consistency.
Australia’s fourth title came in 1997 in India, under Belinda Clark, who also became the first cricketer—male or female—to score a double century in ODIs during that tournament.
They added a fifth in 2005, beating India in South Africa, followed by a sixth in 2013 in Mumbai against the West Indies.
Most recently, Australia claimed their seventh Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2022, under the leadership of Meg Lanning, overpowering England in the final at Christchurch. This staggering record makes Australia the undisputed queens of the format, with more titles than any other nation.
New Zealand (2000)
New Zealand is the only other nation to break through the England-Australia duopoly. Their shining moment came in 2000, when they hosted the tournament. Led by Emily Drumm, the White Ferns defeated arch-rivals Australia in a nail-biting final at Lincoln, winning by just four runs. This remains New Zealand’s only Women’s ODI World Cup title to date, though they have reached the finals on multiple occasions.
But this time around, all eyes will be hooked on India, who are hosting the tournament and are yet to taste the Women's World Cup glory