CWG inclusion will give women’s cricket recognition it deserves: MCC

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has welcomed the inclusion of women’s cricket for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Women’s cricket was officially ratified by the Commonwealth Games Federation on Tuesday with the T20 format making it to the 2022 event in Birmingham. This marks the return of cricket to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1998, when South Africa won gold in a men’s 50-over format competition in Kuala Lumpur.

“It is fantastic news that women’s cricket has been included in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, an action MCC World Cricket committee enthusiastically supported at its two recent meetings,” MCC Chief Executive & Secretary Guy Lavender said on Tuesday.

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Lavender said the decision will only raise the profile and give women’s cricket the recognition it deserves. “Including women’s cricket at this global multi-sport event, which attracts such a huge audience worldwide, will be a real step forward in giving the women’s game the increased profile and recognition it deserves.

“Increased visibility can only help to promote inclusion and keep the game developing, by encouraging more women and girls to embrace the sport and become passionate players and supporters,” he added.

Manu Sawhney, Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) termed it as a historic moment. “This is a truly historic moment for women’s cricket and for the global cricket community, who were united in their support of this bid. Women’s cricket continues to go from strength to strength, and we are delighted and honoured the Commonwealth Games Associations voted to include Women’s T20 cricket at Birmingham 2022,” he said.

Andrea Nelson, Chief Executive of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 said having T20s at the 2022 CWG was a major positive for the sport. “This is fantastic for cricket and in fact women’s sport as a whole. It’s another chance for the public to see our top female athletes performing on the world stage. Hopefully it can build on the momentum generated by the world cup we’re hosting here in 2021,” she said.