The Women's Cricket World Cup is cricket's trailblazing international championship that was launched two years before the men's ODI World Cup. Since 1973, the big-venue tournament has been welcoming the greatest women's cricket legends, making legends and shaping generations. It started as a humble four-nation tournament but now has become cricket's most prized distinction for women. Australia's dominance gives the narrative to the tournament, seven titles echoing their systematic pursuit of excellence. Yet the appeal of the competition is uncertainty. England's classic triumphs, New Zealand's consistency, and the rise of new nations have woven a rich sport drama in the fabric. Each edition has introduced innovations: new formats, increased participation, and changing playing conditions. From the initial administration of the International Women's Cricket Council to the contemporary management of the ICC, the tournament has expanded manyfold. It is now the summit of women's cricket, where dreams are fulfilled and sporting immortality gained through flashes of individual brilliance and collective triumph. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Winners List: From 1973 to Latest Edition Year Winner Runner-up Host Country Margin 1973 England Australia England Points Table 1978 Australia England India Points Table 1982 Australia England New Zealand 3 wickets 1988 Australia England Australia 8 wickets 1993 England New Zealand England 67 runs 1997 Australia New Zealand India 5 wickets 2000 New Zealand Australia New Zealand 4 runs 2005 Australia India South Africa 98 runs 2009 England New Zealand Australia 4 wickets 2013 Australia West Indies India 114 runs 2017 England India England 9 runs 2022 Australia England New Zealand 71 runs ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Winners List: From 1973 to Latest Edition Details 1973 - England (First Champions) Image Source : icc cricket History was made as the inaugural Women's World Cup on home ground was won by England. The competition featured an innovative round-robin, England's superior dependability earning 20 points from six games. This pioneering event was followed by the men's World Cup, securing women's cricket on the global stage. England's win was not just a sporting achievement, it was a declaration of intent that would be the spur for decades to come of development in women's cricket around the world. Also Read | Top 10 Players with Most Career Runs in Women T20Is | Queens of the Crease 1978 - Australia (First Title) Image Source : Facebook Australia captured their first World Cup in India, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. There were just four teams, but the intense quality of the competition such that every game was a fight. Australia's unbroken string of wins was the bedrock of excellence that would be the hallmark of their future dominance. Playing on subcontinent soil, they adapted wonderfully to new environments. This victory laid the groundwork for Australian World Cup hegemony, demonstrating that their patient approach to international cricket could prosper anywhere globally. 1982 - Australia (Back-to-Back Champions) Image Source : Facebook New Zealand staged a heart-stopping final in which Australia held off England. When England were bowled out for just 151, Australia were in distress at 3 wickets down in their quest to win early on. Their middle-order grit was the solution however, and they went on to win by 3 wickets in a thrilling finish. The penultimate round-robin and final added to the drama. Australia's second consecutive title cemented them as the tournament's first powerhouse, a benchmark for generations to come. 1988 - Australia (Hat-trick Heroes) Image Source : Getty Images Australia achieved a stunning home ground hat-trick when they defeated England in the final. England's 127-run total was not enough to match Australia's dynamic batting lineup. The home side took the chase in stride, exhibiting sheer dominance on home ground. This triumph was the culmination of Australia's dominance in the early decades of the World Cup, their methodical approach paying rich dividends. Five sides competed, but the supremacy of Australia was on show throughout, and their third successive victory looked all but certain to the crowd. Also Read | Most Runs in Women's Cricket: Top Scorers Across Formats 1993 - England (Home Glory Returns) Image Source : ESPN England took the cup back with a dominant display against New Zealand at home. Having scored 195 runs, their bowlers also produced a masterclass performance, restricting New Zealand to 128. The tournament was increased to eight sides by the addition of new teams from Denmark and the West Indies. New Zealand's flawless group stage campaign could not eventually stand up to the experience and home-ground advantage of England. This triumph ended Australia's dominance and proved that World Cup glory was not just a matter of talent—it was a matter of psychological resilience and tactical genius in adversity. 1997 - Australia (Fourth Crown) Image Source : Facebook India hosted an enlarged 11-nation event where Australia won their fourth crown from New Zealand. New Zealand's 164 runs, constructed around Debbie Hockley's fine 79, appeared competitive but came up short. Australia's chase line-up completed professionally to clinch the game 5 wickets comfortably. Expansions of the tournament also mirrored the growth of the sport of women's cricket at an international level with Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka making their debut. Victory by Australia further cemented their status as the game's best women's team in this dominant period. 2000 - New Zealand (First Victory) Image Source : Getty Images New Zealand won their biggest cricketing victory, beating Australia by 4 runs in a close final. With 184 runs, New Zealand bowlers kept calm to get the favorites bowled out for 180. The close margin gave spine-chilling drama with Australia inching their fifth title in heartbreak. Having home advantage gave New Zealand some crucial advantages, and their bowling under severe pressure was the best. This stunning upset testified to the elegance of cricket residing in its unpredictability and paid New Zealand's persistence its due reward. Also Read | List of Records Smriti Mandhana Could Break in Women’s WC 2025 2005 - Australia (Fifth Success) Image Source : Facebook Australia clinched their fifth World Cup by convincingly beating India in the final. This was the final World Cup under the IWCC prior to its merger with the ICC. India, with new captain Mithali Raj, went as far as their first final but were overwhelmed by Australia's experience. Though India had an impressive run of the tournament with just one loss, Australia's 98-run margin of victory ended up being their experience in their biggest match. The victory was the difference between cricket's old titans and the rise of nations but indicated the continued supremacy of Australia. 2009 - England (Third Title) Image Source : Getty Images England won their third World Cup in a professional 4-wicket win against New Zealand in Australia. The event featured new structures such as super-six stages, bringing new complication and thrill. England's batsmen ran through the target of 166 against New Zealand with deliberation, showing greater depth and thinking. This victory under ICC administration inaugurated a new age for women's cricket. England's victory was a testament to their capacity to play in various conditions and formats and thus are consistent World Cup contenders. 2013 - Australia (Sixth Glory) Image Source : Getty Images Australia's dominance was such that they thrashed West Indies by 114 runs in India. Their massive aggregate of 259 runs proved beyond West Indies' ability, getting bowled out for 145. This comprehensive victory testified to Australia's return to its best following the inability to participate in the last final. The tournament showed the universality of cricket, with West Indies advancing to their first final. Australia's sixth title took them closer to total World Cup supremacy, underlining their status as the best side in the format. Also Read | Top 10 Fastest Centuries in Women’s ODI Cricket History 2017 - England (Fourth Crown) Image Source : BCC England produced a breathtaking 9-run win against India in one of the greatest ever finals of cricket. India's pursuit of 229 appeared secure until Anya Shrubsole's devastating last spell triggered a dramatic collapse. India, with victory within their sights, saw their wickets fall at a phenomenal rate, finishing on 219 runs. The thin margin made memories for all time, the experience for England proving decisive when under pressure. It was a demonstration of the volatility of cricket, which claimed its fourth World Cup trophy and gained the status of being one of the most successful teams of the competition. 2022 - Australia (Seventh Success) Image Source : ICC Australia regained the crown with a dominant 71-run win over England in New Zealand. Alyssa Healy's stunning 170 laid the basis for Australia's decisive total of 356 runs, the record World Cup final score. England's pursuit never got started in spite of the courageous 148 not out by Nat Sciver-Brunt. Australia's overwhelming triumph proved that they are the best force in contemporary cricket. This seventh title set a new World Cup record, highlighting their methodical approach in the international format of the game and making them the most prolific team in the format. Conclusion The Women's ODI World Cup odyssey between 1973 and 2022 is cricket's greatest story of expansion. Australia's seven championships are a story of sustained brilliance, and England's four titles are evidence of sustained competitiveness. New Zealand's single victory in 2000 is cricket's greatest fairytale—evidence that sheer will power can overcome odds. These twelve editions have seen cricket develop: from humble origins with four sides to global spectacles with the world's best players. Every tournament has spawned heroes, formed legends, and inspired a million teenage girls to chase cricket aspirations. The increase in size is a reflection of the increasing popularity and professionalism of women's cricket. Future editions threaten even more drama as the global popularity of cricket continues to grow. Developing countries are closing gaps with traditional powers, guaranteeing competitiveness. The World Cup will keep changing, still the greatest honor for women's cricket as it pushes new generations towards sporting greatness through perspiration, merit, and grit to not believe anything can top them.