ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022: When is England’s first match? Schedule, UK Time, TV Coverage

New Zealand are just a couple of days away from hosting the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup - the sport’s oldest world Championship.

The tournament was first hosted by England in 1973 with the hosting team winning the inaugural competition.

The Australia batter Debbie Hockley currently holds the title for the most runs, scoring an unbelievable 1,501 between 1982 and 2000 while fellow Australian Lyn Fullston takes the record for the most wickets (39).

Australia have won the tournament a record number of six times while England have lifted the trophy four times - their most recent triumph coming in 2017.

Heather Knight was once again leading the side and took her time to a nail-biting nine run win over India in the final.

England’s Tammy Beaumont was the star of the show five years ago scoring 410 runs for her team while Anya Shrubsole stole the limelight in the final.

England looked to be falling apart when India came out to bat. Chasing 229 for victory, India were 191-3 in the 43rd over. With 36 balls left, the Indians only needed 38 runs.

But the medium-pace bowler suddenly sparked into life instigating a collapse of 7-28, taking five wickets and a run out in that time, bowling India out for 219 in 48.4 overs.

After a disappointing Ashes performance in the multi-format series earlier this year, Heather Knight will hope that Tammy Beaumont and Anya Shrubsole can bring back some of that 2017 magic and inspire victories in the same manner that was seen five years ago.

England Women have experienced little consistent success over the past year and will hope to restore the brilliance that has been overwhelmingly present in the team previously.

England will have played two warm up matches ahead of their first fixture this Saturday.

Knight and her cricketers faced Bangladesh on Sunday 27 February, comprehensively beating them by 109 runs.

All-rounder Nat Sciver scored 108 while Lauren Winfield-Hill helped out with 55 off 43.

Despite a hard fought 81 from Bangladesh’s Sharmin Akhter, England’s bowling attack was too strong and two wickets for Freya Davies, Nat Sciver, Charlie Dean as well as a wicket each for Heather Knight, Kate Cross and Sophia Dunkley secured a solid win for England.

So when is England’s next match and when does their World Cup campaign begin?

When is England’s next Warm up match?

England’s second and final warm up match will come against South Africa today, Tuesday 1 March 2022.

Knight will look to build on what was shown during England’s match against Bangladesh in order to prepare for the strength in competition from Australia, New Zealand and India.

When is England’s first match in the WCWC?

Ironically, England’s first match will come against Australia.

They will take on their ancient rivals on Saturday 5 March 2022. Play will begin at around 1am GMT.

How to follow England at the Cricket World Cup?

Sky Sports Cricket will have all the action from New Zealand and will show England’s matches live.

Coverage for England’s first match on Saturday will begin from 12.30am GMT.

When are England’s other fixtures?

• v Australia in Hamilton. 1am GMT, Saturday 5 March 
• v West Indies in Dunedin. 10pm GMT, Tuesday 8 March 
• v South Africa in Mount Maunganui, 10pm GMT, Monday 14 March 
• v India in Mount Maunganui, 1am GMT, Wednesday 16 March 
• v New Zealand in Auckland, 10pm GMT, Saturday 19 March 
• v Pakistan in Christchurch, 1am GMT, Thursday 26 March 
• v Bangladesh in Wellington, 10pm GMT, Saturday 26 March  

Who’s in the England squad?

Heather Knight (Captain), Nat Sciver (vice-captain), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophie Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.

Reserves: Lauren Bell, Mady Villiers

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