On this day in 1973: England lift the inaugural Women’s World Cup

The England women’s cricket team is the second-most successful team in terms of achievements after mighty Australia. The English side have so far won five world titles (four in ODIs and one T20I). They have also been showcasing consistent performances in ICC tournaments since the past many years having finished as the finalists of the 2022 Women’s World Cup.

However, it was on this very day back in 1973 that England Women lifted their maiden World Cup by getting the better of arch-rivals Australia. While many captains have gone on to lead the English Women over decades, it was the legendary Rachael Heyhoe Flint who was the pioneer of women’s cricket in the country and inspired her team to a memorable World Cup triumph on July 28, 1973.

She called it right at the toss in Edgbaston on the big day and instantly decided to bat first. The skipper herself was impressive with the bat, scoring 64 runs while openers ensured a brisk start for England with a 101-run opening stand. Opener Enid Bakewell top-scored with an outstanding 118 while Lynne Thomas scored 40. Some vital contributions from the middle-order duo of Chris Watmough and Jill Cruwys powered England to a gigantic total of 279/3 from their quota of 60 overs.

The target was indeed a mammoth one in those days and the Australians had to do something special in order to be the first-ever Women’s World Cup winners. But the English bowlers had other ideas and they completely applied brakes on Australia’s momentum that hampered their chase.

The duo of Bev Wilson (41) and Jackie Potter (57) ensured a good start for the Aussies with a 62-run opening stand. However, once the well-set pair was dismissed, Australia lost the plot. Enid Bakewell, who had scored a brilliant century earlier, chipped in with two vital wickets to finish with figures of 2/28 and got good support in Mary Pilling 2/41 and Sue Hilliam 2/34 as the Australian batters could do no further damage barring middle-order batter Elaine Bray (40).

The Aussies were forced to resort to defensive tactics with victory already being a foregone conclusion and they went on to play their full quota of 60 overs to finish at 187/9. Thus, with a comprehensive 92-run victory, England were crowned the first-ever world champions in women’s cricket.  They would go on to add three more ODI World Cups to their tally by coming out on top in the 1993, 2009 and 2017 editions.