On today’s episode of the Sports Pundit Podcast, we’re joined by Beth Barrett-Wild, Tournament Director ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 & Director of Women’s Professional Game at the England Cricket (ECB).

Beth has spent her career at the forefront of cricket’s evolution, from her early years at MCC and the ECB, to now helping shape one of the most significant upcoming global moments in women’s sport.

Her work spans governance, competition management, and commercial growth, giving her a unique perspective on how to build both a world-class tournament and a sustainable future for the game.

In this conversation, Beth reflects on her leadership journey, the structural changes underway in women’s cricket, and how England can evolve its domestic pathways through initiatives like Project Darwin. She talks about Australia’s decade-long dominance and what it means for competitive balance, the importance of storytelling, and cultural positioning in growing fandom, as well as how the World Cup can drive lasting impact for players, fans, and the sport itself.

Timestamps

• 02:30 - Beth’s Cricket Journey: From MCC to ECB and the ICC

• 10:00 - Talent Pathways and Project Darwin

• 17:00 - Rethinking England’s Domestic Structure

• 22:00 - Australia’s Dominance and the Challenge of Competitive Balance

• 28:00 - Building a Compelling Global Product

• 33:00 – Together or Separate: Positioning Women’s Cricket

• 38:00 - The Power of Storytelling and Player Narratives

• 49:00 - Moving from Social Justice to Performance and Entertainment

• 54:00 - Vision for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

About The Host

Andy Marston is the founder of Sports Pundit, a community and media platform for sports and technology executives. Through a weekly newsletter, podcast network, lively group chat, and regular social events, he shares industry analysis and connects leaders across the sector.

Alongside Sports Pundit, Andy leads Corporate Venture at athlete-backed venture firm, The Players Fund, where he works with high-profile sports IP such as Como 1907 to design venture strategies and drive innovation initiatives. Connect on LinkedIn

About Sports Pundit

Sports Pundit is a community-driven platform for executives working in sport, built around content, events, and conversation. Through its weekly newsletter, social channels, WhatsApp groups, and podcast network, it connects industry leaders across the globe.

At the heart of the platform is the Sports Pundit Podcast Network, a multi-show lineup created for sports executives, by sports executives. The network features six domain-specific podcasts spanning innovation, marketing, finance, performance, and media, alongside a conversational companion show, The Pitch. Together, they deliver insider perspectives that live up to Sports Pundit’s mission to be “The Voice of the Sports Industry.”

Produced by OH SIX

The Sports Pundit Podcast is proudly produced by OH SIX, a content marketing agency specialising in producing digital and social-first content that connects. Trusted by Premier League clubs, F1 teams, and top brands, OH SIX deliver premium content end-to-end, from ideation, working with talent during production and platform specific content to reach audiences on screen.