The ECB has had to prioritise this Covid-19 affected season but a ‘gender-balanced game’ remains the goal for the ruling bodyIf frost arrives unexpectedly, or cruelly, tender, young plants wither and die. Hardier ones are more likely to see it out, with only a browned leaf as a war wound, raring to sprout after a prudent prune. Timing, as ever, is everything.And so to women’s cricket, frosted by Covid-19 in the sharpest way. With two international series for England, against India and South Africa, a new Hundred competition complete with joint marketing alongside the men’s franchises (if much less exposure on television) and player contracts worth up to £15,000, this summer was expected to be a vital one. Related: Charlotte...
After five heartbreaking exits, Shrubsole is determined to be playing in the MCG final on International Women’s DayIn 2009 a back injury forced the then-17-year-old Anya Shrubsole out of the World Twenty20. She had already been part of one World Cup-winning team – England having come back from Australia that March as champions in the 50-over format – but she was forced to watch from the sidelines as the team, as hosts, took a second title of the year. She has not missed a World Twenty20 since but England have not won again.Though in 2010 West Indies could claim joint responsibility, Australia have knocked England out of every World Twenty20 since the very first, beating them in three finals and...
Celebrating the metamorphosis undergone by the game, with professionalism and the rise of the limited-overs gameIn the last decade, women’s cricket has undergone a metamorphosis, unfolding its wings into unexpected corners, enthusing some of the most sceptical hearts and making marketing managers wide-eyed with its potential. In 2010 the world’s leading female cricketers were largely amateur; now Australia, England, India and New Zealand have fully professional national teams, with others on the way.With professionalism has come coaches and time, and with time has come huge improvements – particularly in the realms of fitness, fielding and sixes hit. The limited-overs game has come to dominate and the rewards have grown substantially – the winners of the Twenty20 World Cup next year...
Women’s Ashes series was a disaster but the coach improved his players, won a World Cup and pushed for reformsThe first casualty of England’s disastrous Women’s Ashes series against Australia, which they lost 12 points to four, was revealed on Tuesday: the coach, Mark Robinson. After four years at the helm, in which he won the World Cup and as recently as November led his side to the final of a World Twenty20, the ECB has apparently decided it no longer require his services.“[A]fter discussions with Mark, we have agreed that now is the right time for him to step down as England Women’s Head Coach,” said the ECB director of women’s cricket, Clare Connor. “It is important that we...
Difference between everyday male bowling speed and top female speeds is too large to make any real senseThe first rule when comparing women’s sport to men’s sport is: don’t compare women’s sport to men’s sport. This is generally a pointless exercise, used more often to denigrate or shut down a discussion. More widely the men v women dynamic is one of those red flags, a sign in any social media debate that you’re drifting into the arena of the unwell.It’s up there with having lots of letters and acronyms after a Twitter name or engaging in long, accusatory conversations about perceived bias against José Mourinho led by people whose internet avatar is the scowling, righteous face of Mourinho – the...