Unveiled  by the ICC Board earlier this year in order to create a "more extensive and meaningful bilateral playing programme" for women's cricket, the Championships will see the top eight sides in the world play each other in three one day internationals, either at home or away, between 2014 and 2016.

In the first round, reigning world champions Australia begin their title defence against Pakistan on home soil, while three-time World Cup winners England will host India.

Sri Lanka will also host South Africa, while New Zealand will travel to the West Indies, with the specific dates and venues for these fixtures due to be confirmed shortly. 

"The ICC Women's Championship provides another fantastic opportunity for women's cricket," said ICC chief executive David Richardson.

"Following the ICC Board's decision to hold a stand-alone ICC Women's World Twenty20 tournament every four years, alternately with the ongoing joint men's and women's ICC World Twenty20, this tournament guarantees both regular playing opportunities and a meritocratic pathway to the ICC Women's World Cup."

After losing to Australia in the 2013 World Cup Final, West Indies will be hoping to lay down a marker in the inaugural event ©Getty Images



A second round of four matches will take place in the autumn, including a repeat of the World Cup final between Australia and the West Indies, with the other five rounds to be held in 2015 and 2016.

Points will be awarded for each game, with the top four sides at the conclusion of the bilateral event gaining automatic qualification to the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, due to be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The bottom four sides will have a second chance to qualify for through the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2017, where they will lock horns with six regional qualifiers for the final four positions.

Joined by six regional qualifiers, the bottom four will face off for the final four positions at the ICC Women's World Cup 2017.

Clare Connor, chair of the ICC Women's Committee who played 93 one day internationals for England before her retirement in 2006, was also please with the additional competitive opportunities the new competition will provide. 

"The ICC Women's Championship is an exciting new initiative that represents a significant step in the continued development of women's cricket," she said.

"The multi-year structure provides regular playing opportunities for the leading women's teams, as well as clear context around bi-lateral series that provides a competitive pathway into the ICC Women's World Cup 2017."

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