Cricket Australia has welcomed the announcement that cricket will be included in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, with a women's event to be held for the first time.
In another major boost for women's sport, the Commonwealth Games Federation officially endorsed Women's Twenty20 Cricket as part of the program, having flagged its intention with a nomination in June.
It will be just the second time that cricket has been included in the Commonwealth Games, with men's 50-over cricket part of the Kuala Lumpur event in 1998. Australia won the silver medal after losing the final to South Africa.
Australia is well placed to aim for gold after becoming Women's T20 World Champions for the fourth time following a resounding win against England in the final last November in the West Indies.
Australia will defend its T20 crown on home soil next year at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup with the final to be played at the MCG on International Women's Day on 8 March.
Former World Cup winning captain and Executive General Manager Community Cricket, Belinda Clark endorsed the decision of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
"Cricket has made amazing progress, and this is a fantastic opportunity for cricketers, with the sport making giant strides in recent years and this is a wonderful opportunity for the game's talented female athletes to showcase their skills on the world stage," Ms Clark said.
"Already this year we have seen a sell-out crowd for the Women's Big Bash League Final and strong television ratings across the WBBL followed by great crowds and live coverage of The Ashes in England.
"This is an exciting time for the sport and the impact on the next generation is obvious, with girls making up six out of 10 new participants in Australia.
"The exposure will become even greater when Australia hosts the Women's Twenty20 World Cup early next year."
