The 2021 Women’s World Cup, will be played in New Zealand which will have a reserve day for all three knockout games, each for the semi-finals and the final as well. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had faced criticisms last week after one of the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup between India and England was called off. India had progressed to the final due to their unbeaten run in the group stage. 31 matches are scheduled for the tournament where the games will take place at six venues.
Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin will host all the games in the tournament while the two semi-finals will be played at Tauranga and Hamilton on March 3 and March 4 respectively while the final will take place on March 7 under lights at the Hagley Oval. The hosts New Zealand will begin the tournament against a qualifier on at Eden Park, Auckland on February 6, 2021.
Only four teams have been confirmed for the World Cup so far – Australia, the defending champions England, South Africa and hosts New Zealand. The remaining teams will be confirmed after the conclusion of the Women’s Championship and the qualifying event in Sri Lanka in July as well.
“It’s a match we absolutely fizz about as players – taking on the Aussies is always a huge thrill. Cricket fans who come along to the Basin Reserve on Saturday the 13th of February will no doubt see a lot of passion from both teams,” said New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.
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“Playing in a World Cup against our arch-rivals in my home city will be an unreal feeling,” she further added.
ICC CEO, Manu Sawhney said: “The ICC has made a long-term commitment to to elevating women’s cricket as part of our strategy to grow and develop the global game.
“We are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in increasing prize money for ICC events over the last few years, with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand having $NZD5.5 million dollars available in prize money compared to $NZD3.1m in 2017 and $NZD316,000 in 2013.”
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup CEO Andrea Nelson said: “Our team is proud to be delivering a tournament where Kiwis across the whole country, in each of our six host cities, can really get involved in what is a truly special event.”
“We can’t wait to see the excitement build around New Zealand as we prepare to roll out the welcome mat for the rest of the world,” she added.
