The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday revealed the full match schedule of women’s World Cup which is going to be held in the year 2021 in New Zealand’s capital city.

A total of 31 matches would be played among the contesting teams and Wellington’s Basin Reserve is confirmed to host two New Zealand white fern matches during the tournament.

Sports fans across all six host cities in New Zealand: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, will get to witness some action-packed cricket as their favorites are all set to take on the rest of the cricketing teams of the world.

New Zealand captain and record smasher Sophie Devine was on the hand at the Basin Reserve to mark the start of the World Cup. Addressing the media, Sophie said, “It’s a match that we absolutely fizz about as players- taking on Aussies is always a huge thrill. Cricket fans who come along the Basin Reserve on Saturday the 13th February will no doubt see a passion from both the teams. Playing world cup against our arch-rivals in my home city will be an unreal feeling.”

Key Highlights Of The Match Schedule Included:

  • Eden Park will host an opening weekend bumper featuring New Zealand on Waitangi Day, followed by England v Australia defending champions face-off the next day.
  • New Zealand to take on South Africa in one of six pool matches, and a semi-final in Hamilton.
  • Tauranga to host a semi-final match, and five pool matches.
  • On 13th February (Saturday), the Basin Reserve is going to play the most expected Trans-Tasman fight.
  • Dunedin, Suzie Bates home to put on Valentine’s weekend filled with top cricket featuring South Africa and England.
  • Christchurch will host the final under the lights on 7th March at Hagley Park on the basis of five pool matches.

The launch of the schedule of 2021 Women’s world cup was attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, Minister for Sports Grant Robertson, Minister of Economic Development Phil Twyford, Australian High Commissioner Her Excellency Patricia Forsythe and ICC CEO Manu Sawhney.

Prize money for this international women’s cricket showpiece will total NZD $5.5million, and all matches will be broadcast live to a vast global audience.

ICC CEO, Manu Sawhney said; “The ICC has made a long-term commitment to elevate women’s cricket as part of our strategy to grow and develop the global game”.

New Zealand will take this as an opportunity to showcase their women’s cricketing skills in front of a global audience. The tournament’s explosive weekend would feature New Zealand in the Waitangi Day First match up at Eden Park. (Saturday, February 6). The next day, Australia would take on reigning champions, England.

“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 match for the rest of the world,” said Andrea Nelson, CEO ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

The tournament would begin from International Women’s Day, 8 March 2020, and the grand finale would take place on 7 March at Oval in Christchurch.

The teams will play each other in the eight-team round-robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the semifinals.

Venue And Matches

Eden Park, Auckland

  • Saturday, 6 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER
  • Sunday, 7 Feb – Australia v England

University Oval, Dunedin

  • Sunday, 7 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER
  • Tuesday, 9 Feb – NZ v QUALIFIER
  • Saturday, 13 Feb – QUALIFIER v England
  • Sunday, 14 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa

Seddon Park, Hamilton

  • Monday, 8 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa
  • Wednesday, 10 Feb – England v QUALIFIER
  • Thursday, 11 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa
  • Saturday, 20 Feb – New Zealand v South Africa
  • Wednesday, 24 Feb – QUALIFIER v Australia
  • Friday, 26 Feb – South Africa v Australia
  • Thursday, 4 March – Semi-final 2 (2v3)

Bay Oval, Tauranga

  • Wednesday, 10 Feb – Australia v QUALIFIER
  • Sunday, 14 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER
  • Wednesday, 17 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER
  • Sunday, 21 Feb – England v QUALIFIER
  • Sunday, 28 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER
  • Wednesday, 3 March – Semi-Final 1 (1v4)

Basin Reserve, Wellington

  • Saturday, 13 Feb – New Zealand v Australia
  • Tuesday, 16 Feb – Australia v QUALIFIER
  • Wednesday, 17 Feb – South Africa v England
  • Tuesday, 23 Feb – South Africa v QUALIFIER
  • Thursday, 25 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER
  • Saturday, 27 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER

Hagley Oval, Christchurch

  • Thursday, 18 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER
  • Saturday, 20 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER
  • Sunday, 21 Feb – QUALIFIER v Australia
  • Wednesday, 24 Feb – England v QUALIFIER
  • Sunday, 28 Feb – New Zealand v England
  • Sunday, 7 March – Final