From the crease — Saturday morning, 22 August
Women's International Cricket Calendar in Brief Pause, Major Tournaments Loom
Attention shifts to the Women's Asia Cup 2026, set to begin next week, and upcoming bilateral tours.
EDITION 2026-08-22 · EVERY CLAIM SOURCED · GROUNDED VIA SEARCH AT PUBLISH
The story
The international women's cricket circuit is experiencing a brief lull, with no senior international fixtures played in the last 48 hours. This pause allows teams to regroup and prepare for a busy schedule ahead.
The immediate focus is on the Women's Asia Cup 2026, which is slated to kick off on Friday, August 28, in Dubai. Eight teams, including defending champions Sri Lanka, will compete for the continental T20 title through September 13. [2] Beyond the Asia Cup, several bilateral series are on the horizon, promising a return to regular international action.
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings | 1st | Australia continues to lead the ODI format. [1, 5] |
| ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings | 1st | Australia holds the top spot in the T20I format. [1, 5] |
| ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings | 1st | Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the top position. [5] |
| ICC Women's T20I Batting Rankings | 1st | Georgia Voll currently leads the T20I batting rankings. [5] |
What we'll be watching
- The Women's Asia Cup 2026 begins on August 28 in Dubai. [2]
- Ireland Women will face England Women in the 1st ODI on September 3, at Fischer County Ground, Leicester. [8, 18]
- The Netherlands Women's tour of Scotland concludes with the 3rd ODI on September 3, at New Williamfield, Stirling. [8]
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.