The Women's London Championship (WLC)[1] is an English women's cricket competition. It was created in 2020 following the introduction of the regional Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy as the highest domestic competition in women's One Day cricket.[2] The competition features the women's county cricket teams from the Home Counties.[3]
 | |
| Countries | England |
|---|---|
| Administrator | ECB |
| Format | One Day |
| First edition | 2020 |
| Latest edition | 2024 |
| Tournament format | Round robin |
| Number of teams | 5 |
| Current champion | Middlesex (1st title) |
| Most successful | Surrey (2 titles) |
| Website | Women's London Championship |
History
editOriginally the Women's County Championship was the highest 50 over competition in English women's cricket. However, the tournament ended in 2019 to make way for a regionalised 50-over tournament and The Hundred.[2][4] This decision was not popular with some of the county teams who felt that the new competition had removed their representation in the top flight of women's cricket.[3] The Women's London Championship was created as a county replacement.[2] The first season in 2020 featured the Home Counties of Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Essex. Though it was endorsed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), it was viewed as a breakaway tournament due to a negative perception of the ECB's way of administering women's cricket by reducing the number of teams from counties to regions.[3] The counties also engaged in a running competition as a warmup.[5] The matches would be played at county outgrounds such as Kent playing at the Nevill Ground, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Middlesex playing at Mill Hill School, London.[6] The inaugural competition was won by Surrey.[2]
For the 2021 season, it was announced that Sussex would be joining the competition.[2] The South East Stars and Sunrisers regional teams agreed to release their contracted players to represent their counties in the Women's London Championship.[2] Kent won the 2021 tournament, winning three of their four matches, with defending champions Surrey in second place.[7] Surrey regained their title in 2022, winning three of their four matches (with the other match cancelled).[8] Essex won their first title in 2023, winning all four of their matches.[9] Middlesex won their first title in 2024, winning all of their matches.[10]
Teams
edit| Team | First | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 2020 | 1 |
| Kent | 2020 | 1 |
| Middlesex | 2020 | 1 |
| Surrey | 2020 | 2 |
| Sussex | 2021 | 0 |
References
edit- ^ "KENT WOMEN TO CONTEST EXPANDED WOMEN'S LONDON CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2021". Kent County Cricket Club. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Friend, Nick (15 February 2021). "Sussex to join London Championship for second edition of women's 50-over competition". The Cricketer. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Dobell, George (19 March 2020). "Four counties planning 50-over 'London Championship' to support women's game". ESPN. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ "ECB launches new plan to transform women's and girls' cricket". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ "Women's cricket teams launch London Championship Race during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ Reeves, Thomas (29 July 2020). "Kent Women fixtures announced". Kent Online. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ "Women's London Championship (50 Overs) – 2021/Table". Play-Cricket. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ "Women's London Championship (50 Overs) – 2022/Table". Play-Cricket. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Women's London Championship (50 Overs) - 2023/Table". Play-Cricket. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Women's London Championship (50 Overs) - 2024/Table". Play-Cricket. Retrieved 15 October 2024.