Sri Lanka’s victory in the Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur last week and the subsequent CGF ratification of the island nation’s entry was announced jointly by the International Cricket Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
Australia, Barbados, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan have already qualified as women’s cricket entered the Commonwealth Games for the first time.
This would be only the second time that cricket would be involved in a multi-discipline competition after being part of the men’s competition games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and is seen as a great opportunity to bring the sport to new audiences.
Shaun Pollock-led South Africa won the gold medal on that occasion by defeating Steve Waugh’s Aussies by four wickets in the final.
ICC Hall of Famers Sachin Tendulkar of India, Jacques Kallis of South Africa and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka were among the many stars to attend the games at the time.
The league-cum-knockout tournament this time will begin with a match between women’s 2020 T20 World Cup finalists Australia and India on 29 July, with bronze and gold medal matches on 7 August.
Barbados and Pakistan are in Group A along with Australia and India while England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka are in Group B.
The ICC, CGF and Commonwealth Games Sri Lanka congratulated Sri Lanka on their merit and looked forward to an exciting tournament.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardyce said: “It is good to finalize the identity of the teams participating in the Commonwealth Games. We will have eight of the best teams competing for gold and I am sure we will get to see a highly competitive tournament.
“The Commonwealth Games are an important part of the women’s cricket calendar next year. This is a great opportunity for us to take cricket beyond the traditional strongholds and give more people around the world the chance to enjoy the game.”
CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “Cricket is a sport synonymous with the Commonwealth. We are very excited to have it back in the Games for the first time since the men’s 50-over event in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
“The launch of women’s T20 cricket will be a historic moment and a wonderful showcase of the women’s game across the world.”
4,500 athletes from 72 countries and territories will compete over 11 days at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, to be held from 28 July to 8 August.
Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men.
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