From 'Freakish Amusements' to Packed Stadiums: The Real Story

Content Fingerprint: 47d7a792b999fb34-1759674760-82944

When you see the packed stadiums and record-breaking prize money at the Women’s Cricket World Cup today, it’s easy to think it’s always been this way. But the truth is, the journey here has been a long, hard-fought battle against ridicule, sexism, and utter neglect. For centuries, female players were seen as little more than a sideshow, a curiosity. As former England cricketer Isabelle Duncan puts it, they were treated as "sort of freakish amusements." It’s a stark contrast to today, and the story of how we got here is one of pure grit.

Key Highlights

• ✓ The first Women's Cricket World Cup was held in 1973, two years before the men's tournament.
• ✓ The current World Cup prize money is $4.5 million, more than double the 2022 amount.
• ✓ For over 200 years, women cricketers were often ridiculed and treated as "freakish amusements."
• ✓ The 2017 World Cup final drew over 150 million viewers, triggering a massive shift in the sport's perception.
• ✓ Early Indian players in the 1970s had to fundraise for their own kits and book their own train tickets.

The Modern Turning Point: When the World Finally Tuned In

So, what was the big bang moment for modern women's cricket? According to Duncan, the real game-changer was probably the 2017 World Cup. The final, held at the legendary Lord's, was an absolute nail-biter featuring India. It wasn't just the cricket that was electric; it was the viewership. Over 150 million people tuned in, with a staggering 140 million of them from India. That’s a number you just can't ignore.

That single match sent a shockwave through the cricketing world. Boards like the BCCI suddenly realized they were sitting on a goldmine and needed to take the women's game seriously. This momentum led directly to the creation of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023, which has been another massive step forward. It has given young players a platform to play in elite environments with the world's best, and it has built a loyal, passionate fanbase.

💡 What's Interesting: For a long time, the argument was that people just weren't interested in women's sports. But as Duncan points out, "women cricketers weren’t given a platform to show off their skills, which led to the attitude among men that girls can’t play sport." Once people could finally see the game played at a high level, they realized how great it was.

The Pioneers Who Refused to Be Ignored

Long before the bright lights of the WPL, there were women who quite literally built this sport from the ground up. You see, the women didn't just follow in the men's footsteps; in some cases, they actually led the way. Here's the wild part: the first-ever cricket World Cup was a women's tournament. Yes, you read that right. In 1973, two full years before the men had theirs, the inaugural Women's World Cup took place in England.

This incredible feat was orchestrated by Rachael Heyhoe Flint, one of the sport's great pioneers. She wasn't afraid to "shake the cage and poke the hornet's nest," and she found a backer in a millionaire named Jack Hayward. He bankrolled the entire thing, bringing eight teams to England for the tournament, which England won. The men saw how great it was and decided to have their own two years later. It's a piece of history that’s often overlooked.

India's Unsung Trailblazers

The story in India is just as remarkable. The first women's Test series played there was in 1976 against the West Indies, and sadly, almost no records of it exist beyond the scorecards. There are no interviews, no anecdotes, just stats. Yet, the stadiums for those six matches were nearly full. When India won the fourth Test in Patna, clinching the series, the streets were lined with cheering crowds all the way back to the team hotel. It was a massive moment.

The captain in that historic match was a 22-year-old named Shantha Rangaswamy. Raised by a single mother with six sisters, she lived by the mantra, "You will have to stand for yourself." And she did. In those early years, the players did everything. Rangaswamy went on fundraising campaigns, haggled for practice space, booked train tickets, and even negotiated jobs for her teammates. They were playing for the love of the game, juggling jobs, raising children, and fighting for every little bit of recognition.

A 200-Year History of Sexism and Struggle

To truly appreciate today's success, you have to understand the deep-seated prejudice women in cricket have faced. When Isabelle Duncan researched her book, ‘Skirting the Boundary’, she found a 200-year history of ridicule. Commentators were often more interested in the players' wardrobes and whether they wore lipstick than their skills on the field. It was a constant battle for legitimacy.

In the Victorian era, the arguments were even more absurd, with claims that women's physiology wasn't suited for the sport or that playing would hurt their shoulders. During the Industrial Revolution, the game almost died out entirely for women who were "enslaved to factories and machines." This wasn't just a lack of support; it was active discouragement and dismissal at every turn.

Even in modern times, the fight continued. The prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord's, was a male-only bastion for 211 years. Duncan recalls being the only woman in the pavilion sometimes, facing "grumpy faces." She even had a run-in with a man who shouted at her during a Test match that women shouldn't be there. He was thrown out, but the experience speaks volumes. Even today, less than 3% of MCC members are women. It's a slow-moving change.

The Game Today: High Stakes and Lingering Shadows

Fast forward to today, and the landscape is transformed. The current World Cup, held in India, has incredible fanfare and a home team that are clear contenders. Isabelle Duncan predicts an Australia vs. India final and admits she almost wants India to win. Why? Because India holds the purse strings, and a victory on home soil would propel the women's game even further on a global scale.

However, not all the old shadows have disappeared. The intrusion of politics into sport remains a thorny issue, particularly with the Indo-Pak rivalry. Duncan finds it sad that politics dictates the cricket, forcing these high-stakes matches onto neutral grounds. It curtails the enjoyment and hangs a "dark shadow" over what should be a celebration of a great cricketing rivalry. It’s a reminder that even as the sport grows, some battles are still being fought.

Conclusion

From sewing their own badges on kits to playing in front of millions for a multi-million dollar prize, the journey of women's cricket is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a testament to the resilience of pioneers like Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Shantha Rangaswamy, who refused to accept the status quo. They laid the groundwork in a very different world, ensuring that today's stars could shine. The next time you watch a women's match, remember the 200-year fight it took to get there—from "freakish amusements" to the pinnacle of the sport.