Since its inception in 1973, the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup has crowned only a handful of champions — and for over five decades, only three nations have lifted the trophy. As the sport prepares for the 2025 edition, a retrospective of title-winners underscores both continuity and transformation in women’s international cricket.
The inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973, where the host nation claimed the title by topping the points table. From that modest beginning, the tournament has evolved into the marquee 50-over event in women’s cricket.
Over the years, Australia has emerged as the dominant force, securing the highest number of titles. England follows as the second most successful, and New Zealand also has a place on the roll of honour.
Below is a consolidated summary of Women’s ODI World Cup champions:
| Year | Winner | Runner-up / Notable Final Detail* |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | England | — (won by points in round-robin) |
| 1978 | Australia | — (by points) |
| 1982 | Australia | defeated England by 3 wickets |
| 1988 | Australia | defeated England by 8 wickets |
| 1993 | England | defeated New Zealand by 67 runs |
| 1997 | Australia | defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets |
| 2000 | New Zealand | defeated Australia by 4 runs |
| 2005 | Australia | defeated India by 98 runs |
| 2009 | England | defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets |
| 2013 | Australia | defeated West Indies by 114 runs |
| 2017 | England | defeated India by 9 runs |
| 2022 | Australia | defeated England by 106 runs |
| 2025 | TBD | Tournament upcoming / undecided |
* In some early editions, a formal “final” did not exist; winners were determined by league standings.
From this lineage:
- Australia leads with 7 titles (as of 2022) in women’s ODI World Cups.
- England has won 4 times (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017).
- New Zealand stands with 1 title (2000).
The recurrence of the same few champions across decades underscores both the depth and the competitive consistency among top women’s teams. Australia’s dominance is born from sustained infrastructure, talent pipelines, and institutional support. England’s capacity to break through in select years speaks to strong tradition and intermittent peaks. New Zealand’s one victory remains a landmark in their women’s cricket history.
As of 2025, no other nation has yet broken into that exclusive list. However, the women’s game is evolving rapidly: expansions in participation, investment, media coverage, and competitive balance mean the next decade may see new names emerge.
With the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on the horizon, the spotlight will again settle on these powerhouse nations and hopeful challengers. Will Australia extend its legacy? Can England reclaim dominance? Or might a rising side shatter the old hierarchy? Meanwhile, the historical winners list remains a testament to the remarkable consistency of excellence at the top of women’s international cricket.
