Women's Cricket: Next Cycle Forecasts Increased Test Matches and Olympic Debut
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled its Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket for the period between 2025 and 2029. A significant increase in the number of Test matches and more frequent tri-series tournaments are among the highlights. Furthermore, the 2028 Los Angeles games will host the introduction of Olympic Cricket, marking a first for women's game, with over 400 matches set to be played across three formats. An ICC event is also planned for every year of the period.
Another major talking point of the next cycle is the addition of Zimbabwe in the Women's Championship. This joins Bangladesh and Ireland as new entrant in the current cycle, bringing the total number of teams in the Championship to 11.
Moreover, the inaugural Champions Trophy for women's cricket will be hosted in 2027. Six teams are expected to participate. Ahead of this, the ODI World Cup will take place in India in 2025, with the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled for the United Kingdom. To prepare for these prominent events, more tri-series events have been agreed upon by the teams.
Australia is projected to play the most games in the Test format, with eight games slated for the next four years. Multi-format series against England, India, South Africa and West Indies are on the cards. Similarly, the West Indies Women are scheduled to return to Test cricket after a hiatus of 20 years, with games lined up against Australia, England, and South Africa.
The ODI Championship will persist in its format, comprising 132 matches in 44 bilateral series and leading up to the qualification pathway for the 2029 ICC ODI World Cup.
"We are delighted to announce the new Women's FTP. The ODIs within the Women's Championship will continue to provide both context and a pathway to the Women's Cricket World Cup 2029. The FTP also provides clarity for teams and the fans," said ICC's General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan. There is optimism that this development will herald a new era for women's cricket, with Zimbabwe's inclusion marking another major milestone.
