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WHITE FERNS – Then To Now

Credit: New Zealand Cricket Museum

The WHITE FERNS have become a staple of the summer cricket scene in New Zealand and around the world.

But it wasn’t always this way.

Throughout the 18th and early 19th century many women played cricket, but many saw it as masculine so its popularity among women waned. It revived in the late 19th century, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. Gotta love the spirit of us and the Aussies eh?

The WHITE FERNS played their test debut in 1935 right here in Christchurch at Lancaster Park. They faced England and were well beaten.

They embarked on a 1954 tour of England. But get this – the players were issued fabric and patterns to make their own uniforms AND had to fundraise for transport and accommodation. They played 19 matches, won nine and drew seven.

Women’s cricket world cups kicked off in 1973 in England – two years BEFORE the men kicked off theirs.

A world cup was held in Christchurch nine years later in 1982, and the WHITE FERNS have been runners up three times (1993, 1997 and 2009). They won in dramatic fashion against Australia when the tournament returned to Christchurch in 2000.

As of 2021, the WHITE FERNS were ranked sixth in the ICC Rankings for ODIs, and fourth for T20Is.

So, what’s in store at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022? The WHITE FERNS are set to write the next chapter in their history.

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