Nov 19, 2023, Cartama, Spain

The European Cricket Network (ECN) is thrilled to announce that the England XI women’s cricket team will be competing in the first-ever Women’s European Cricket Championship (ECC-W). This landmark event is scheduled to take place at the Cartama Oval in Malaga, Spain, from December 17 to December 22, 2023.

In a recent development, the French Cricket Federation, Association Française de Cricket, has unfortunately withdrawn their team’s participation. It is very disappointing to miss the French women's team in the event's debut edition, we hope that the French Women’s national team competes in the event's following editions.

The ECC-W marks a significant moment in cricket history, adopting the T10 format for the first time in a women's championship. England XI will compete against the national teams from Spain, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands.

"Dream, believe, inspire! This is the slogan for all women cricketers participating at the first event of its kind and we hope that it will be shared on a global stage.", says Roger Feiner, CEO, European Cricket Network

"As we embark on this historic journey with the inaugural European Cricket Championship-W, it's more than just a tournament; it's a bold statement about the bright future of women's cricket in Europe. Our commitment at the European Cricket Network is to create a vibrant platform that not only showcases the exceptional talents of female cricketers but also inspires and engages new audiences and players. This event marks the beginning of an exciting era, where women's cricket is not just recognized but celebrated and elevated to new heights. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement, and I am personally excited to witness the unfolding of this new chapter in cricket history."

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to John Howden, CEO of Cricket Espana for his support in his role as the host sanctioning Federation, ensuring a spectacular inaugural event.

Daniel Weston, the founder of the European Cricket Network, shared his enthusiasm for this pioneering moment: "This championship is a historical milestone. These teams and players are creating history and taking a major step in our plan to rapidly expand and grow Women's cricket in Europe. The ECC-W is our new flagship event, destined to be a platform for accelerating talent, promotion, and participation in Women's cricket development across the continent. Following our success in broadcasting over 60 women's T20 and T10 matches, the ECC-W will be a beacon, shining a light on the immense talent and potential of women cricketers in Europe. As the ECC men's event has grown to include 31 countries, we anticipate a similar, rapid expansion for the ECC-W in the coming seasons."

The European Cricket Network extends a warm welcome to all competing teams and athletes. "We can't wait to show the world the incredible talent and skill these players bring to the pitch. The ECC-W is a celebration of Women's cricket, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting journey," concluded Weston.

All matches will be broadcasted live around the world on the European Cricket Network and on FanCode in India. A full list of broadcasters will be released prior to the start of the event. This will be the promotion of Women’s cricket in Europe like never before!