New Delhi, July 6: The International Cricket Council has today announced the first five players selected as 100% Cricket Superstars ahead of a historic month for women’s cricket, culminating in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Sophie Ecclestone (England), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Shafali Verma (India) and Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) are the first crop of what will ultimately be a 100% Cricket Superstars squad that fans can pick from to decide on a final XI.

The entertaining quintet represents a bright future for a women’s game that continues to grow in popularity following record-breaking digital and broadcast audiences at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year.

“100% Cricket Superstars celebrates the best talent in the women’s game as part of the ICC’s ongoing 100% Cricket campaign during a period that sees some of the sport’s most significant events take place,” said Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket.

“With women’s cricket making its inaugural appearance at the Commonwealth Games later this month, we will also host the first ever ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in January which is immediately followed by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

“The players selected today epitomise the future of women’s cricket and it’s going to be exciting to build up to a fan-led vote to narrow down what will be an amazing squad into an XI that I’m sure cricket fans around the world would love to watch!”

The first 100% Cricket Superstars inductees were selected with the input of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee.