Category: Women’s Cricket Articles

An article contributed by Mr David Lausen.

The history of women’s cricket goes back at least three hundred years and it is certainly not a story of steady progression. There were times when there were many barriers to women and girls playing, claims that women playing cricket was either unnatural or unhealthy, and open resentment that women were transgressing into the male ‘domain’. The following is my take on the changes over three hundred years. One of my grandmothers played the game in 1890s and one of my daughters played from 2000 to 2013.

Continue reading “A Brief History of Women’s Cricket in England”

An article contributed by Matthew Kingdom.

Early Years (1930-1946)

In the early 20^th century, domestic women’s cricket in England was organised regionally. In the 1930s, five “Territories” were defined by the Women’s Cricket Association (WCA): North, Midlands, South, East and West. West Women (sometimes referred to as West of England or Western Counties Women), played their first recorded match on 23^rdJune 1930, against Midlands Women at Bournville Cricket Ground in Birmingham – the match was drawn after “deluges of rain delayed the start”. 

Continue reading “West Women’s Cricket”

Included in this article are players who both played List A/T20 cricket for Somerset, and played international cricket during their careers. Article contributed by Matt Kingdom.

Continue reading “Somerset Women – International Players”

Reflections from interviews with Kieran Peters and Jan Godman – article contributed by Matt Kingdom

In September 2023, I sat down with Kieran Peters and Jan Godman to discuss the history and state of the Somerset Women’s cricket team, and the wider themes of their careers and cricket in the South West.

Continue reading “The Past and Future of Women’s Cricket in Somerset”

Statistics compiled by Matthew Kingdom

Continue reading “Women’s Cricket in the West – Historical Dates”

Statistics contributed by Matthew Kingdom

Article contributed by Matthew Kingdom

On 29^th August 2006, on Day 1 of the England v India Women’s Test match at the County Ground, Taunton, it was announced that Taunton would become the new “Home of England Women’s Cricket”, with the aim of hosting at least one women’s international match at the ground each year, as well as key domestic matches and training camps.

Continue reading “Taunton – The Home of Women’s Cricket”

Article contributed by Matthew Kingdom

Women’s cricket in England developed throughout the 20^thcentury under the auspices of the Women’s Cricket Association (WCA). In the 1930s, the first “County Associations” were formed, each affiliating to one of five Territorial Associations: North, Midlands, South, East and West.

Continue reading “Somerset Women”

Article contributed by Matthew Kingdom

The Kia Super League era (2016-2019)

In 2016, the Kia Super League (KSL) was created, a semi-professional T20 league consisting of six teams, reflecting the increasing popularity of women’s cricket and aiming to drive up standards in the women’s game. Somerset CCC partnered with Gloucestershire CCC and the University of Exeter to form Western Storm, representing the South West of England and led by England captain Heather Knight. Sophie Luff, Anya Shrubsole and overseas player Lizelle Lee were the three [Somerset] representatives in the squad alongside former players Izzy Westbury and Fran Wilson.

Continue reading “Western Storm”