Heather Knight has explained to Sky Sports that England’s goal for the upcoming home Women’s T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June, is to "create a real legacy for women’s cricket in this country," mirroring the successes recently enjoyed by the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby. The tournament marks the first time England has hosted the event since 2009, the year the national side lifted the World Cup trophy. It also follows the women’s team’s triumph in the 50‑over Cricket World Cup on home soil in 2017, a campaign that Knight captained to victory. Now, at 35, Knight observes that the environment for women’s sport has transformed dramatically over the intervening years.
The Lionesses have clinched back‑to‑back UEFA European Championships in 2022 and 2025 – the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley – while the Red Roses captured the Rugby World Cup in front of a packed Twickenham stadium last September. Those landmark moments have shifted public perception and demonstrated the commercial and cultural potential of women’s team sports. "The focus now is women’s cricket at the World Cup, so it’s really exciting – it’s not far away and it gives us a chance to do something special as a side," Knight told Sky Sports.
She added that playing a major tournament at home is a rare career milestone. "I would say it’s once in a career, but this could be my second home tournament if everything goes well. It’s incredibly special to play on familiar grounds with friends and family able to attend, to know the conditions, and to feel that home support that can be a game‑changer." Knight reflected on the 2017 triumph, recalling how the crowds grew as the final approached Lord’s.
"It was huge for us – the way the crowds built and the final at Lord’s was super special. It gave us a platform to make a real impact on the sport in our country and to leave a legacy. If we get it right this summer and achieve success, we can cement a lasting legacy for women’s cricket in England." She noted that the ripple effect of previous victories took time to translate into structural change. "It took a little while for that success to bring about real changes, and the landscape is very different now.
In women’s cricket there is a professional domestic structure, greater visibility and a clearer pathway for young players. It’s becoming a lot more normal to be a professional women’s cricketer." Knight believes the timing is right for the sport to capitalise on these developments. "If we have success and the structures are in place, we can turn this into a huge moment. We’ve watched the Lionesses and Red Roses achieve great things, and we want to do something similar – to inspire girls to see cricket as a normal, exciting and viable pursuit." The England women’s side has struggled with form in recent weeks, but Knight stressed that the team is eager to regroup and approach the home World Cup with enthusiasm.
"The mood’s good. We haven’t played much cricket this winter since the 50‑over World Cup, so we’re itching to get back together, feel the international intensity again and build toward the T20 World Cup. It’ll be fun to reunite, clarify our game plan and each player’s role." She also highlighted the mental preparation required for a home tournament. "We’ll be having lots of conversations about handling the pressure of a home World Cup and how to turn that pressure into an advantage.
We want to attack the tournament from day one." The excitement is already evident beyond the professional ranks. With 50 days left until the tournament, Schools Cricket Day saw more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools across the UK pick up a bat and ball – the largest single‑day cricket participation event in the nation’s history.
Knight joined over 200 youngsters at a lively cricket festival at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches and meet‑and‑greets. The event also featured bespoke games and resources from UNICEF’s "Rights in Play" programme, using cricket to teach children about their rights while encouraging participation. ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, saying the enthusiasm building across the UK ahead of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup is "fantastic" and that many of the children involved may be taking their first steps in cricket today.
Gemma Barton, the ECB’s head of strategic growth, echoed that sentiment, noting that the tournament is shaping the future of the game. "Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat today sees how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket can be.
It’s not just about the summer ahead; it’s about the longer‑term growth – more girls playing, more teams developing, and more people feeling they belong in the sport." Financially, the ICC announced a 10 % increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held across England and Wales. The champions will receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million), while the runners‑up will take home $1.17 million (£871,000).
All twelve participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,000), more than double the amount each side received in 2024. Although the winner’s and runner‑up’s prize money remain unchanged from the previous edition, the overall pot has risen from $7.958 million in 2024 to $8.765 million in 2026, reflecting the expansion from ten to twelve teams.
Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the event as a "landmark moment" for women’s cricket, predicting it will become the most attended women’s cricket competition ever, with record ticket demand and the largest prize pool in the sport’s history. In summary, Knight and her teammates are poised to harness the momentum generated by recent successes in other women’s sports, the growing domestic infrastructure, and the palpable excitement among the next generation of players. Their ambition is clear: to deliver a memorable home World Cup, inspire countless young girls to take up cricket, and leave an enduring legacy for women’s cricket in England.