Women’s World Cup 2022 schedule announced

An opening match at Tauranga's Bay Oval and a final under lights at Hagley Oval are two of the highlights of a 31-match schedule announced today for ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022.

The opening match of the Women's World Cup 2022 will be between New Zealand and a qualifier on March 4 at the Bay Oval. The Basin Reserve in Wellington and the Hagley Oval in Christchurch will host the semi-finals with the latter also set to host the final under lights on April 3, 2022.

"The pinnacle event for women's cricket will see 31 matches played across 31 action-packed days between 4 March and 3 April 2022 – the first global women's cricket event to be played since the Women's T20 World Cup in Australia back in March. The tournament was postponed from its original window in February-March 2021 with the same six host cities and venues retained for 2022," ICC said in a release.

The eight-team round-robin format will see all teams play each other, with the top four teams qualifying for semi-finals.

WHITE FERNS veteran and Canterbury Magicians representative Amy Satterthwaite attended the announcement at Hagley Oval.

"As a born-and-bred Cantabrian, it's fantastic to see the Hagley Oval lights up and running. To play in a World Cup at our own stomping ground here in Christchurch, under lights, would be a real career highlight," Satterthwaite said.

South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk says playing in a World Cup will be a memorable occasion.

"Any time you get the chance to play for your country and wear the Proteas on your jersey it's an honour. 

"I have been fortunate to have the opportunity before to play at a Women's Cricket World Cup, but every new time is more special than the last. Every young cricket player dreams of playing for their country at the highest level, and we are definitely looking forward to the CWC22 in New Zealand," she said. 

Mithali Raj, captain India is also looking forward to leading her team to a win at the World Cup. 

"We have all been through a very difficult year and are happy to be getting back at playing the game we all love. India has been doing very well at ICC tournaments in the past three or four years, whether you talk about the (ODI) World Cup or the recently concluded T20 World Cup, and if we manage to win the tournament in 2022, it will be a massive inspiration for the next generation of girls, as the fifty-over format, is considered the pinnacle for any cricketer. I can assure you the team and I are looking forward to it," Raj said.

Sports fans across all six host cities will get a taste of the WHITE FERNS action with key match-ups taking place in each city. 

The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 will be the first of two major cricket tournaments across the globe in 2022 – the other being the Commonwealth Games in England. 
Prize money for the showpiece of women's international cricket will total NZD$5.5million, and all matches will be broadcast live to a huge global audience. 

With the match schedule now locked in, ICC Women's Cricket World Cup CEO Andrea Nelson is excited to see the country get behind the event.

"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.

"Major events like this one are all about creating a genuine legacy for the sport and we are proud to say our tournament was the catalyst for the installation of the Hagley Oval lights. I'd like to thank the New Zealand Government and the Canterbury Cricket Trust for making that happen."

New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa and India have qualified for the World Cup. The three remaining teams will emerge from the ICC qualifying tournament which is confirmed to take place 26 June – 10 July 2021 in Sri Lanka. 

The eight-team round-robin format will see all teams play each other, with the top four teams qualifying for semi-finals.