The second edition of the Women's European Cricket Championship (ECC-W) Premier Division came to a scintillating conclusion as England XI secured back-to-back titles in a high-stakes final against rivals Netherlands XI. Played at the iconic Cartama Oval from December 15 to 20, 2024, the Premier Division saw the top-tier teams in European women's cricket showcase their skills, passion, and resilience. With 4050 runs scored, 243 wickets taken, 308 fours smashed, and 197 sixes sent soaring, the tournament delivered unforgettable moments and set a high standard for the future of women’s cricket in Europe.

This year’s ECC-W was the first to feature a two-division format to enhance competitiveness, and the Premier Division lived up to its billing. Five top-ranked teams—defending champions England XI, last year’s runners-up Netherlands XI, Italy, and debutants Scotland XI and Ireland XI—battled it out in the round-robin stage for supremacy. The new format ensured that every game was fiercely contested, and no team could take anything for granted.

The tournament opened with a replay of last year’s final, as England XI faced Netherlands XI. The defending champions stamped their authority early, reigniting a rivalry that has come to define the ECC-W. However, the Dutch team remained determined, setting the stage for an epic rematch later in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Scotland XI and Italy faced tough starts. Scotland lost both their games on the opening day, while Italy fell short in their lone fixture. But resilience soon became a hallmark of the lower-ranked teams.

Italy bounced back on Day 2, securing an impressive victory over a strong Ireland XI side, only to lose a heart-stopping Golden Ball thriller to Scotland XI. That win marked a turning point for Scotland XI, giving them the boost they needed to rally from three consecutive losses. The Scots went on a stunning winning streak, claiming four victories in a row to finish third on the table—a remarkable comeback that highlighted their grit and determination.

Italy, however, struggled to maintain momentum. Despite flashes of brilliance, they finished last and will be relegated to the Challenger Division in the next edition.

The weather largely cooperated, with only one match impacted by rain. However, that lone washout—the final round-robin game between England XI and Netherlands XI—proved pivotal. With the Dutch placed third below Scotland XI before the match, the abandoned game allowed them to leapfrog into second place on Net Run Rate and secure a spot in the Qualifier. England XI, having topped the table, earned a direct berth in the final.

Finals Day began with a Celtic clash in the Eliminator, as Scotland XI faced Ireland XI. The Irish side delivered a clinical performance to eliminate the Scots and move on to the Qualifier against the Netherlands XI. The Dutch, led by their experienced players, outclassed Ireland XI to book a spot in the final—a rematch of last year’s championship showdown against England XI.

The final was nothing short of dramatic. Netherlands XI, having won the toss, elected to bat but were immediately put on the back foot, losing four wickets for just 16 runs inside the powerplay. With the game slipping away, captain Caroline de Lange stepped up, playing a captain’s knock to rescue her team. De Lange, supported by Robine Rijke—the MVP of last year’s tournament—steadied the innings with a crucial 68-run partnership. A late run-out ended de Lange’s valiant effort in the final over, as the Dutch posted 87 runs, a competitive but below-par score given the Premier Division’s average of 96 runs.

In response, England XI started confidently, smashing 13 runs in the opening over. However, two quick wickets in the second over threatened to derail their chase. But it was Tilly Kesteven, whose calm and composed innings became the backbone of England’s reply. Supported by Beth Gammon, Kesteven guided her team to victory, sealing their second consecutive ECC-W title.

Tilly Kesteven’s brilliance throughout the competition earned her the title of Premier Division MVP. She amassed 221 runs, playing critical knocks when her team needed her most. Ireland XI’s Louise Little finished as the leading run-scorer with 287 runs, while England XI’s Caitlin Belcher topped the bowling charts with 12 wickets.

As the curtains close on the 2024 ECC-W Premier Division, European Cricket Network (ECN) is already looking ahead to next year, with plans to expand the tournament further. The 2025 edition will likely feature 15 teams divided into three tiers—Premier, Challenger, and Emerging—marking another significant step in ECN’s commitment to growing women’s cricket across Europe.