Heather Knight recently sat down with Sky Sports to discuss England's ambitions as the nation prepares to host the Women's T20 World Cup in June. The central goal, she explained, is to "create a lasting legacy for women's cricket in this country," a vision that mirrors the recent triumphs of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby. England will host the tournament for the first time since the 2009 edition, a World Cup that England won on home soil. The women's cricket team also celebrated a historic home victory in the 50‑over World Cup in 2017, a tournament that Knight captained to glory.
Reflecting on the evolution of women's sport over the past decade, the 35‑year‑old captain noted that the landscape has shifted dramatically. The Lionesses clinched back‑to‑back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium, while the Red Roses captured the Rugby World Cup at a packed Twickenham last September. "The focus now is women's cricket at the World Cup, so it's really exciting. The tournament is not far away, and it gives us a chance to do something truly special as a side," Knight told Sky Sports.
She described the prospect of playing a second home World Cup as "once in a career" and emphasized how meaningful it is to have friends, family, and familiar crowds cheering from the stands. "You know the grounds, the conditions, and you have that home support, which is crucial," she added.
Knight recalled the electric atmosphere of the 2017 final at Lord's, where crowds swelled and the stakes were high. "It was huge for us – the way the crowds built and the final at Lord's, it's super special. It's a chance to have a real impact on the sport in your country and leave a legacy. If we do our job right and succeed this summer, we can leave a lasting imprint on women's cricket in England," she said.
She also highlighted the broader changes taking place within the women's game. "It took a little bit of time for that success to translate into structural changes, but the landscape is very different now.
In women's cricket, the domestic game is professional, the pathways are clearer, and the sport enjoys far more visibility than it did a few years ago." Knight believes that the momentum generated by the Lionesses and Red Roses can be harnessed to inspire the next generation of cricketers. "We want to do something similar and hopefully inspire kids to make a girl in cricket feel normal and great," she said, noting that role models are essential for encouraging participation. Despite a recent dip in form, the England women's side is determined to approach the home World Cup with enthusiasm and resolve. "The mood's really good.
We haven't had a huge amount of cricket this winter since that 50‑over World Cup, so we're itching to get back together as an England side, feel the international cricket vibe again, and build towards the T20 World Cup," Knight explained. She added that the team will use the upcoming weeks to solidify strategies, define roles, and mentally prepare for the pressure of performing in front of a home crowd.
"We'll have lots of conversations about how to embrace that pressure, maximise it, and really attack the tournament," she affirmed. The build‑up to the tournament is already generating excitement across the country.
With just 50 days left until the opening match, Schools Cricket Day saw more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools pick up a bat and ball on a single day – the largest cricket participation event in UK history. Knight took part in the festivities at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, joining over 200 boys and girls for drills, matches, and informal coaching sessions. The event also featured UNICEF's "Rights in Play" programme, which used cricket‑based games to teach children about their rights. ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, saying, "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 very first steps in cricket today. Expanding the tournament from ten to twelve teams reflects our commitment to growing the women's game globally and creating more opportunities for players and fans alike. We look forward to welcoming these young participants and their families to the stadiums this summer, where they can watch their heroes and be inspired to dream bigger." ECB strategic growth lead Gemma Barton echoed the sentiment, noting that moments like Schools Cricket Day demonstrate how the tournament is shaping the future of the sport.
"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 growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game," she said.
Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup compared with 2024. The champions will receive $2.34 million (approximately £1.74 million), while the runners‑up will take home $1.17 million (about £871,000).
All twelve participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (roughly £184,000), more than double the amount assured to each side in 2024. Although the top‑two prize money remains 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 to twelve teams. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the upcoming 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, Heather Knight and her teammates are poised to leverage home advantage, recent successes in other women's sports, and a growing domestic infrastructure to deliver a memorable World Cup.
Their aim is not only to compete for the trophy but also to cement a legacy that will inspire future generations of girls to view cricket as a normal, exciting, and achievable pursuit.