India among eight teams to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Women’s cricket is all set to feature in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Monday announced that the women's cricket will feature in the multi-sport event for the first time in 22 editions. Earlier, the men’s team participated in the ODI competition in 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Advertisment

India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, hosts England and one team from West Indies have secured automatic qualifications based on their ICC women’s T20I rankings. Since athletes will be representing their individual countries and not West Indies as a whole, a qualifying event will take place and the winner of that will take the spot of the team from West Indies.

The final participating team will be decided by another qualifying tournament that will take place by January 2022, details of which will be announced later.

The Birmingham Commonwealth games will see as many as 4500 athletes from 72 countries take part in several sporting events over a period of 11 days. All the matches of the cricket tournament will be played at the Edgbaston cricket ground.

Advertisment

England women’s captain Heather Knight expressed her delight over the development.

"We're really excited about hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and it offers a big opportunity for women's cricket, both in England and Wales and around the world.

"With direct entry into the competition confirmed, we're one step closer to being on the pitch in Birmingham, and the prospect of potentially winning a medal is something that will be at the back of our minds across the next 12 months.

Advertisment

"It's going to be a fantastic competition, a real chance to showcase the women's game to a huge audience and it's one we're thrilled to be taking part in."

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur too was elated over the same.

"It's great to be confirmed a place in the Commonwealth Games. We are raring to go, confident of doing well after having made the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia last year.

"It is an awesome opportunity for both the women's game and cricket to make a mark at the prestigious multi-discipline Games and we hope to return with loads of good memories."

Also read why Andrew Tye raised questions on the morality of the IPL

Follow SKY247.net for all the latest cricket, football, and other sports news from all parts of the world.