Most of our blogging revolves around events in the men’s sport. We even dedicate several posts to inconsequential series such as matches with the weakest Test playing teams or dead rubbers. At the same time, we and most cricket bloggers ignore the most important event happening in the women’s cricket game, namely, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2009 taking place in Australia right now.

What many people don’t know is that the first women’s World Cup (in 1973) actually took place before the men’s tournament (in 1975). There were 7 teams in that tournament in England which was won by the hosts. There have been nine tournaments so far, including the present one, the same as the men’s tournament. The current champions Australia have been the dominant team, winning five tournaments, with England (twice) and New Zealand (once) taking the Cup when it was hosted in their home countries.

Although the women do not play as much cricket as the men, they have their records too. Belinda Clarke, from Australia, is the only person (of either gender) to score a double-century in a one-day international (an unbeaten 229 against Denmark in the 1997 Cup). Take that, Sachin!

Cricinfo has some nice posts by the cricketers themselves. Here is Haidee Tiffen about her memories from the 2000 World Cup:

 Australia needed five runs to win and we needed one wicket. Offspinner Clare Nicholson came to bowl the final over and Charmaine Mason edged the first ball to our keeper, Rebecca Rolls. All I remember after that is throwing my cap into the crowd during the celebrations and feeling gutted that I had just thrown my New Zealand cap away!

The league matches are now over. Sri Lanka and South Africa got knocked out before the Super Six. At this moment, England, India and NZ seem the main contenders for the finals. England have not lost a match so far in the tournament, a performance that is a far cry from the men’s team which is superstar-rich, but results-poor.