Heather Knight told Sky Sports that England’s goal for the home‑hosted 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 recent successes of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby. The tournament marks the first time England has staged a women's cricket World Cup since the 2009 edition, a competition the side won. It also follows the historic triumph in the 50‑over Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, a campaign that Knight captained to victory on home soil.
Now 35‑year‑old Knight observes that the environment for women’s sport has shifted dramatically over the past decade. The Lionesses have captured back‑to‑back UEFA Women’s Euro titles in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium, while the Red Roses lifted the Rugby World Cup in front of a packed Twickenham last September.
Those achievements have raised the profile of women’s sport across the nation and set a new benchmark for cricket. "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 team," Knight said. "I would say it’s a once‑in‑a‑career moment, but this will probably be my second home tournament, if everything goes well, and playing at home is just extraordinary.
Friends and family can attend, we know the grounds and conditions, and the home support is crucial." She recalled the atmosphere in 2017, when crowds swelled for the final at Lord’s, describing it as "super special." Knight believes that delivering a strong performance this summer could leave a lasting imprint on the sport: "If we do our job right and succeed, we can leave a real legacy for women’s cricket in this country." Beyond the on‑field action, Knight highlighted how the game’s infrastructure has evolved. "It took a little time for the success to translate into change, but the landscape is very different now. In women’s cricket the domestic game is professional, the pathways are clearer, and visibility has increased dramatically." She added, "We hope that if we achieve success, the structures we now have will amplify the impact and make this a huge moment for the sport. We’ve watched the Lionesses and Red Roses inspire a generation, and we want to do the same for cricket – to make being a girl who plays cricket feel normal and exciting." The England women’s side has struggled for form in recent weeks, but Knight emphasized the squad’s determination to approach the home World Cup with enthusiasm and resolve.
"The mood is good. We haven’t played much this winter after the 50‑over World Cup, so we’re eager to get back together, feel the rhythm of international cricket again, and build towards the T20 World Cup," she said. "It will be fun to regroup, clarify our game plan and each player’s role, and embrace the pressure of a home tournament. We’ll have many conversations about handling that pressure and attacking the competition." The build‑up to the event is already generating excitement among the grassroots.
With 50 days left until the tournament, more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools across the UK took part in Schools Cricket Day – the biggest single‑day cricket participation event in the country’s history. Knight joined over 200 boys and girls at a lively cricket festival at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches and meeting aspiring players.
The day also featured educational games created by the ICC’s charity partner UNICEF under its "Rights in Play" programme, designed to teach child‑rights concepts through cricket activities. ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, noting, "It’s fantastic to see the excitement building across the UK ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Schools Cricket Day has brought thousands of children into the game, many of whom may be taking their first steps in cricket today. Expanding the tournament from ten to twelve teams shows our commitment to growing the women’s game globally and creating more opportunities for players and fans alike." ECB strategic growth lead Gemma Barton echoed the sentiment, saying, "Moments like this show how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game.
Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. It’s not just about the summer ahead; it’s about what comes next – more girls playing, more teams developing, and more people feeling they belong in the sport." Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 tournament, which will be held across England and Wales.
The champions will receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million) and the runners‑up $1.17 million (£871,000). While the top‑two prize money remains the same as in 2024, every participating nation is guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount assured in 2024. The overall prize pool has risen from $7.958 million in 2024 to $8.765 million in 2026, reflecting the expansion to twelve teams. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the event as a potential "landmark moment for the game – on course to become the most attended women’s cricket event in history, with record‑breaking ticket demand and the largest‑ever prize pot for a global women’s T20 competition." In summary, Knight and her teammates are poised to leverage the home advantage, the growing visibility of women’s sport, and the expanded tournament framework to inspire a new generation and cement a lasting legacy for women’s cricket in England.
The combination of professional domestic structures, increased prize money, and grassroots engagement suggests that the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup could be a turning point, turning cricket into a mainstream pursuit for girls across the nation.