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Karachi Kings suffered a stop-start batting performance and eventually went down

The Report by Peter Della Penna23-Feb-2020How the game played outQuetta Gladiators out-grafted Karachi Kings on Sunday afternoon in a far from glamorous win by five wickets. Imad Wasim became the first captain all year to choose to bat first at the toss, and he may be the last one to do so for some time based on the way his team responded.A stodgy Kings innings was full of fits and starts as four batsmen crossed 20, but none of them were able to reach 30 with Mohammad Hasnain and Tymal Mills doing their best to keep the Kings off balance with regular changes of pace. Yet despite so many nondescript individual efforts, Kings were still able to cobble together 156.Gladiators nearly bungled what should have been a simple chase thanks to a trio of run-outs, not to mention a trio of other run-out chances that the Kings failed to convert in the field. When Azam Khan was the third run-out victim for 46 to start the 18th, it looked like the door might be left ajar for an unlikely Kings rally in the field as Mohammad Nawaz skied a slower ball to deep midwicket for the fifth wicket a short time later. But after entering at No. 7, Anwar Ali drove his first ball from Chris Jordan over mid-off for four, then ended the match three balls later heaving Jordan for six over long-on to clinch victory with an over to spare.Turning pointWith 34 needed off 24 balls on what had been a difficult wicket to get going for most of the day, Sarfaraz Ahmed flipped a switch, clubbing the first two balls of the 17th over from Arshad Iqbal over the midwicket rope for six and four. Azam top-edged a hook over fine leg for another boundary two balls later in what turned out to be a 17-run over, the most expensive of the match for either side. It brought the required run rate under a run a ball and despite a brief wobble losing two wickets in the next seven balls, Gladiators held their nerve behind Anwar’s cool finish.Star of the dayAzam Khan’s straight driving was superb, accounting for both of his sixes and another of his fours as he top-scored on the day with 46 off 30 balls before being run-out by Mohammad Amir on an athletic effort spinning to fire down the stumps at the non-striker’s end off his own bowling. He offered several chances but continued to be a thorn in the side of the Kings bowlers as long as he stayed at the crease. Alongside Sarfaraz, the pair added 85 for the fourth wicket to navigate Gladiators chase. Needing 90 off the last 10 overs, the pair made it look relatively comfortable.The big missSo many to choose from in the field as both sides could not capitalise on numerous chances. But Arshad Iqbal blew a pair of opportunities to run out Azam relatively early in his innings. The first came when Azam was on 18 in the 12th over at 80 for 3. After flicking a full-length ball off his pads from Arshad to Mohammad Amir at short fine leg, Sarfaraz caught Azam off guard calling for a tight run. Amir’s relay to the non-striker’s stumps had Azam beat by five yards but Arshad fumbled the take in the midst of scrambling into position over the stumps.In Arshad’s next over in the 14th, Sarfaraz tapped into short midwicket and called for a second run with Azam struggling badly trying to come back. Though Azam practically dropped his bat in desperation trying to stretch for the second, the throw by Arshad bounced over the stumps again at the non-striker’s end on 28.Where the teams standGladiators now top the table on four points after three matches. Kings are locked with three other teams in second place on two points, but are in fifth based on their inferior net run rate.

He will bring an end to his third captaincy stint, but will continue as a player

Mohammad Isam05-Mar-2020Mashrafe Mortaza will quit as Bangladesh’s ODI captain after the third final ODI against Zimbabwe on Friday. This gives him possibly one chance to lead Bangladesh to their 50th win under his leadership in this format, a landmark in one of the most important phases in Bangladesh cricket’s development. Mortaza will, however, continue to make himself available for selection and isn’t retiring just yet.Bangladesh’s next ODI assignment is a one-off game in Karachi on April 1. But Mortaza’s decision to resign as captain comes following BCB president Nazmul Hassan’s announcement two weeks ago that this series would be his last one at the helm.”I am leaving the Bangladesh captaincy,” Mashrafe said at the pre-match press conference in Sylhet. “The third ODI [against Zimbabwe] is going to be my last game as captain. I took the decision myself. As a player, I will keep trying to give my best if I get the opportunity. I wish the next captain all the best.”I believe that Bangladesh team will reach the next stage under him. I will try to give him all the support through my experience. I think the three available senior players each have the ability to lead the side. Hope the BCB takes the best one of them.”Mortaza has been an iconic captain, leading a turnaround of sorts through. The first signs of change came in 2015 when he lead Bangladesh to the World Cup quarter-final. That was followed by series wins over Pakistan, India and South Africa. Then, they made the 2017 Champions Trophy semi-final.In all, he won 49 out of 87 ODIs as captain. Bangladesh also won 10 T20Is in 28 matches under him. Bangladesh also won the only Test he captained in (2009), which also happened to be his final match in whites.BCB appointed him the limited-overs captain in 2014 to arrest the team’s slide under Mushfiqur Rahim, who continued to remain Test captain until end of 2017. During his tenure, he managed to bring the best out of a number of players, most notably Mahmudullah and Rubel Hossain during the 2015 World Cup.Players like Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Liton Das also got their big breaks under Mortaza. Two of his more notable series came in 2018 and 2019 when Bangladesh beat West Indies in their backyard, as well as lifting their first tri-series trophy in Ireland. Recently, Mortaza became the fifth bowler to take 100 wickets as captain, and during his 2014-20 captaincy reign, he was the side’s second highest wicket-taker behind Mustafizur.Mortaza said he was never interested in perks of captaincy, just like he has denied the perks that come with being a Member of Bangladesh’s parliament. “I never took myself to be an ambassador when I played or led Bangladesh,” he said. “Now I have another identity. I am an MP. But I have not taken the red passport [diplomatic passport], car or house. I try to stay as far away from them as possible.”My whole career was shaping up to take this chair [of captaincy], and the moment I got it, I had already attained what I wanted. I have no more ambitions. So I used this chair positively, rather than influence it differently.”Mortaza’s emotional press conference turned a tad light when he was asked of his future. “I am everything due to cricket. If I didn’t finish playing cricket, I would have been doing fish farming,” he said. “My future definitely includes cricket, and if a player requires me, I will give it my best. I have to do my work in my constituency until the next election.”Asked whether the country’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, knows about his decision, Mortaza replied in the affirmative. “I don’t think she should be bothered about something so small. Somehow she knows, though.”

Revenues set to be hit after bumper 2019 summer saw £228m go through the books

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2020The ECB has announced “bittersweet” financial results for 2019-20, reporting a record turnover of £228 million while bracing for the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on cricket in England and Wales.In its strategic report, the ECB attributed the increase in turnover to the staging of last year’s World Cup, and the additional broadcast revenue from the men’s and women’s Ashes series. The ECB reported profits of £6.5 million for the financial year, up from the projected figure of £800,000, and cash reserves were recorded as £17.1m, up from £11.2m.The appointment of Ian Watmore as Colin Graves’ successor as chair was also ratified at Tuesday’s virtual AGM, with the ECB’s 41 members voting unanimously in his favour. Watmore’s appointment came under scrutiny following a series of reports in the regarding his previous role at the English Football League, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing following a conduct review.The financial report suggested that in the worst-case scenario in which no cricket was possible this summer, the ECB’s revenues would take a £252m hit across matchday revenues, broadcast and sponsorship income, with a net loss of around £154m accounting for the reduction in costs. Last month, CEO Tom Harrison told a government select committee that the total hit across the whole game – rather than just the ECB – could be as high as £380m.”Communicable disease” has been added to the list of examples of “loss of cricket due to events outside cricket’s control” in the major risks identified, alongside terror threats and periods of national mourning, though the ECB confirmed on Tuesday that its insurance policy allows it to claim for all lost tickets revenues from advance purchases for this summer.”With the impact of Covid-19 these results are somewhat bittersweet, but it is nonetheless extremely positive to know that with the right conditions, the game can continue to grow financial momentum for its stakeholders,” Scott Smith, the ECB’s chief financial officer, said.The ECB’s total headcount has also increased from 342 to 379, and administrative expenditure grew by £22m on account of “special fee distributions” of £1m made to each first-class county relating to last summer’s World Cup.Remuneration for the highest-paid director – understood to be Harrison – fell from £719,175 last year to £580,459. Harrison took a 25% pay cut for the three months from April as part of the ECB’s first round of internal measures to reduce the impact of the pandemic.As well as the ratification of Watmore’s appointment, the virtual AGM also saw confirmation that Lord Kamlesh Patel will step down as the board’s senior independent director after five years in the role. The ECB said in a press release that a replacement would be identified in the coming months.”I have made clear from the start of this process how important the cricket network is to our sport thriving across England and Wales,” Watmore said.”In a post-Covid-19 world, it is more important than ever before that we see sport connect communities and improve lives. That goal is only achievable with the support of the entire game and I look forward to working with the membership and other key stakeholders in delivering our ambitions.”

ACA has an ‘optimistic and confident’ outlook for how the sport can cope with the pandemic

Andrew McGlashan06-May-2020Cricket Australia’s financial warnings have been questioned by the players’ association which has said the game’s position remains positive with the sport not yet feeling the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic suffered by the winter codes.The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), led by chairman Shane Watson, met on Monday and will now write to CA chairman Earl Eddings to express their view on the game’s situation.Last month CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said money could run short by August if significant cost-cutting didn’t take place which led to 200 staff being stood down on 20% pay, although that move itself only contributed A$3 million of A$ 20 million in savings. The players expressed their support for those who had been impacted by the cuts.The biggest concern stemmed from the possibility of India not being able to undertake their tour later this year which could cost CA A$300 million if it doesn’t take place. However, there have been questions raised about how open CA have been with their financial figures.Until now only a very small amount of cricket has been effected with the one-day series between Australia and New Zealand called off after one match and the Sheffield Shield curtailed by one round and the final. There are also positive signs as to the chances of hosting international cricket in Australia later this year.ALSO READ: Covid-19 crisis could force Australian players to be more self-reliant“Cricket is yet to suffer a significant negative revenue event associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial position of cricket is therefore very positive relative to Australia’s winter sports,” ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson wrote in an email to members seen by ESPNcricinfo.”The players express their support for staff at CA who have been stood down on 20% of their wages and wish them a speedy return to full-time work.”Cricket is able to express an optimistic and confident posture about its capacity to weather the pandemic, and has the opportunity to put in place effective plans for cricket to be played this summer. With this, cricket’s financial position will likely remain positive.”The impact of Cricket Australia’s cost cutting has been seen around the states in recent days as they brace for a 25% reduction in their grants.The CA contracts for men and women were announced on April 30 although it’s understood players were not told the actual figure they would earn, instead the percentage once the board’s financial position is clearer.The ACA reiterated that the players stand by the revenue share model which sees their payment pool rise and fall with CA’s income and added they had offered an option for further flexibility “should adverse events occur in the future.””The ACA will continue to work with CA and share these positive findings when the Australian Cricket Council is convened shortly,” Nicholson concluded. “United and coordinated, cricket is well-placed to make the most of the opportunities which will emerge as the COVID-19 pandemic eases and more normal life resumes.”The ACA board consists of Watson, Greg Dyer, Moises Henriques, Lisa Sthalekar, Alyssa Healy, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Neil Maxwell, Kristen Beams and Janet Torney.

Decision to omit senior seamer was understandable but hasn’t yet been justified

George Dobell at the Ageas Bowl09-Jul-2020It’s a funny thing, given that he spent a fair bit of the afternoon sitting on his hotel room balcony as one of this Test’s very few spectators, but Stuart Broad may well have had the best day of any of England’s bowlers.For while James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood were, on the whole, frustrated by some determined West Indies batting, Broad’s reputation improved in his absence.Was it a mistake to leave out Broad? It might have been. In recent times – since the start of 2019 really, when he shortened his run and resolved to make batsmen play at more deliveries – he has tended to bowl an excellent probing line and length. On this surface, offering some uneven bounce and a bit of seam movement, that would have been a useful weapon. He averaged 23.06 in six Tests in England last summer and 19.42 in England’s last series, in South Africa, too. Not many bowlers are left out with records like that.But the one man who averaged even fewer in that South Africa series was Mark Wood. So even though Wood admitted to be “a little bit surprised” he was selected – “I thought the main four would play,” he said – it wasn’t really a surprising pick. Many times in recent years – not least in Australia – England have paid the price for a lack of pace, so the attraction of going into this match with Wood and Archer in tandem in Test cricket for the first time was understandable.Wood has more to his game than pace, too. His statistics since he lengthened his run-up are outstanding – he has taken 19 wickets at an average of 14.66 – and while that is a small sample size, the way he has bowled in recent times – such as England’s most recent Test, in Johannesburg, when he took nine wickets in the match, or in the most recent Test against West Indies, when he claimed a maiden five-for – rendered him a hugely attractive option. Especially for a new captain in Ben Stokes who has known him for many years and has long sung his praises as a player.Stuart Broad wearing his new-look bandana•Getty Images

Equally, we have to be careful not to exaggerate Broad’s potency. Since mid-August 2015 – just after the demolition job at Trent Bridge – Broad has played 28 home Tests and taken only one five-for. His average in that period – 27.66 – is still impressive, but he is not the destroyer he once was. Archer, by contrast, took two five-fors in his first series last summer and another in South Africa over the winter.But might England have been guilty of picking the attack they would like to see in Brisbane rather than focusing on the here and now? Well, possibly. Certainly Jason Holder showed the virtues of control and movement. So while he bowled significantly slower – almost 20% slower than Wood at times – he had the game to exploit the conditions. Wood, who reached a top speed of 94.5 mph, and Archer were guilty of bowling just a little short and just a little straight. Both might have presented an intimidating prospect in Brisbane or Perth but on this slow seamer? Neither generated as much lateral movement as Holder. So far he has given them a masterclass in exploiting English conditions.There are a lot of caveats to all this. West Indies have only faced 19.3 overs so far. At the same stage of their own innings, England had lost just the one wicket, too. Archer or Wood could yet bowl England to victory.And, much of what is being said about Broad could be said about Chris Woakes. Indeed, Woakes, with a bit of extra pace and an ability to generate a little more movement in the air, might have an even stronger case for inclusion. He averages 23.45 with the ball in his 19 Tests in England and would have strengthened the batting, too.That’s a relevant issue. For just as England’s selection was criticised when Broad was left out in Barbados 18 months ago, it should be remembered that they were bowled out for 77 when they batted. When that happens, it hardly matters what your bowlers do.ALSO READ: Jason Holder the best first-change seamer since 2018While England’s first-innings score of 204 here is not so short of par – Wood reckoned between 250 and 300 was par, but 300 looks a vast total on this pitch – it was still the case that several of their batsmen paid the price for technical errors: Zak Crawley and Rory Burns played across the line, Ollie Pope nibbled at one he should have left and Joe Denly defends with a gate between bat and pad so wide it could be mistaken for Brandenburg. Broad’s inclusion wouldn’t have altered any of that.There is, as ever, a wider context, too. England do have to look to the future. They cannot rely on Anderson and Broad, now aged 37 and 34 respectively, forever and know they have to start to make preparations for life after them. Maybe Wood and Archer will be able to find life in surfaces in India (or the UAE, if that series has to be moved, as some expect) and Australia that Broad and Anderson rarely could. It may also be that the selection was not wrong, as such, but that the performances have not yet been as required. And let’s not forget West Indies’ batting, either. Kraigg Brathwaite looked more solid than anyone in the England’s top-order.Perhaps the summer schedule is also relevant. England are set to play six Tests in seven or eight weeks and will need to rotate their attack. Broad could well come back into the side for the Test next week – perhaps instead of Anderson, who has been injured in two of his three more recent Tests – and thereby ensuring England have an experienced attack leader. But conditions there might not favour Broad as much as they do here.So were England wrong to leave out Broad? We’ll never know for sure. There was reasonable logic behind it, certainly. But as ball after ball was taken at head height down the leg side by Jos Buttler, it was hard not to look over at that hotel balcony and wonder if the man sitting on it might not have been better employed on the pitch.

Three other teams – Royals, Kings XI and Knight Riders – have already reached Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2020With the IPL finally due to start from September 19, the Delhi Capitals side assembled in Mumbai on Thursday before the squad departs for the UAE. And, according to a PTI report, three other teams – Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders – have already reached Dubai as the T20 tournament continues to gather steam.The Capitals players arrived in batches, keeping in mind the safety protocols against Covid-19. Led by their captain Shreyas Iyer, the others who landed were Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw.Despite being away from the game for more than five months, Rahane – who is a part of the Capitals for the first time – wanted to ensure the side was “very positive” after the time out.”There is no doubt that it will be a challenging trip for everyone involved,” he said. “But like everyone else, I’ve spent these last few months focusing on my physical and mental health, and taking care of my family. So the time I’ve managed to spend with them has put me in a positive frame of mind. However, this IPL will be a very different experience for all of us, and we need to make sure that we are all very positive when we hit the ground running. The key is to take one step at a time.”Young opening batsman Shaw, who hit 99 in a tied game against the Kolkata Knight Riders last season, was looking forward to gelling with his team-mates and utilising the training sessions available in the UAE.”We know people have a lot of expectations from us, but our focus will be on making the most of the training sessions we get in the UAE, and re-creating that fantastic team environment which made us so successful last year,” he said. “We also have the chance to gel with the new players and then set our sights on the IPL season.”The Kings XI, KKR and Royals players, who were already tested multiple times before departure, will now undergo a six-day isolation period with testing on day 1, 3 and 6. If they clear all the tests, they will be eligible to enter the tournament’s bio-bubble and start training.Subsequently, the players and support staff will be tested every fifth day of the tournament

“I think potentially not having it (reviews) affects the spectacle of the game,” says Heather Knight

Matt Roller20-Sep-2020The Decision Review System (DRS) will be available in a women’s bilateral series in England for the first time during West Indies’ tour, with the five-match T20I series starting Monday.The technology was available throughout the last two T20 World Cups, and in the ten televised games in the 50-over World Cup in 2017, but has only occasionally been used outside of them in women’s cricket. New Zealand used the technology in their series against India at the start of 2019 and against South Africa in early 2020, with India captain Mithali Raj critical of the “irregular” use of the system in the women’s game and calling for its permanent introduction.Last summer, both teams in the women’s Ashes called for DRS to be introduced in bilateral internationals after England batter Fran Wilson was incorrectly given out lbw in the first ODI, with replays showing that the ball had hit her glove rather than her pad.ALSO READ: How can women’s cricket learn to use DRS better?“You always want the best as players, and DRS is the best,” Heather Knight, England’s captain, said. “I’d imagine the reason, as usual in women’s cricket, is money, as to why we don’t have it.”I think potentially not having it affects the spectacle of the game. Sometimes decisions go your way and it’s obviously the same for both sides but in an ideal world we would have DRS.”Matthew Mott, the Australia coach, said, “I must admit I think if you’ve got the technology there and you’ve got enough cameras, it should come in. It certainly makes sense for me to have it if we can.”Under the ICC’s playing conditions, the use of DRS in women’s internationals is at the discretion of the participating boards, as is the case in men’s internationals.England’s series against West Indies begins on Monday, with all five T20Is being played behind closed doors at Derby. Both sides will have two reviews available per innings, in all five matches.1140, September 21 – This story was updated to reflect the use of technology in New Zealand’s home series

England are supposed to arrive in South Africa on November 17 and will spend 10 days in quarantine

Firdose Moonda16-Oct-2020Cricket South Africa (CSA) are waiting on the home affairs ministry to give the England squad permission to enter the country for three ODIs and three T20Is in November-December. South Africa is still in a “state of disaster,” in response to the coronavirus pandemic and is currently at the most lenient stage of lockdown – stage 1 of 5 – which means most activity has been able to resume and borders are open in limited capacity. Anyone who wants to enter the country requires a rubber stamp from home affairs with particular focus on those from high-risk countries, which include the United Kingdom.”We have received the request from Cricket South Africa but it has not been processed yet,” Siya Qoya, a spokesperson from the ministry of home affairs told ESPNcricinfo. “We will communicate with CSA once a decision has been finalised.”Qoya confirmed that decisions “do not take too long” to be made and that some individuals from high-risk countries have been allowed into South Africa. Should approval be given, England will arrive in South Africa on November 17 and will spend 10 days quarantined at a hotel in Cape Town, while being able to train at Newlands. The South African squad will stay in the same hotel – creating a bio-bubble – with matches to be played at Newlands and Boland Park in Paarl, behind closed doors.The series will be the first for the South African men’s national team since they returned home from India in March, when the coronavirus pandemic hit. They have had series in Sri Lanka and West Indies postponed and have been unable to host India for three T20Is, which would have provided CSA with a much-needed financial shot in the arm. For now, the England tour will fill the gap, with CSA estimated to earn R70 million (US$4.2 milllion) from the series. CSA are expected to pay for all accommodation and transport fees for a touring party of about 50 members, the ECB have agreed to carry the costs of a charter flight.If the England series is given the go-ahead, it will take place under the cloud of sports minister Nathi Mthethwa’s intent to intervene in CSA’s affairs unless CSA can provide him with a reason not to by October 27. On Wednesday, Mthethwa issued a statement in which he said he had been left no choice but to act according to the National Sports and Recreation Act on allegations of mismanagement, because CSA had refused to comply with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) request for the board and executive to stand down while an investigation is held. Mthethwa has the power to no longer recognise CSA as the governing body for cricket in South Africa. CSA have been in administrative crisis throughout 2020, and are currently operating under an acting CEO, an acting president and postponed their AGM from September to December.Apart from the England tour, no other international fixtures are confirmed for the season. Domestic cricket in South Africa is set to get underway on November 2, but the schedule has been reduced as a cost-cutting measure. The six franchises will only play seven first-class matches (instead of their usual 10) and a single-round T20 tournament (rather than matches home and away), with the Mzansi Super League cancelled for this summer.

130 lots up for sale after Boycott celebrates 80th birthday

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2020Sir Geoffrey Boycott has put his personal collection of cricket memorabilia up for auction, including the bat with which he scored his 100th first-class hundred, against Australia at Headingley in 1977, and a stump from England’s famous Ashes victory at Headingley in 1981.The 130 lots went on sale on Tuesday, with bidding due to close on November 16. Christie’s, the auctioneers, described it as “one of the last great collections of cricketing memorabilia left in private hands … chronicling the career of the Yorkshire and England legend.”It is unclear quite why Boycott has decided to part with his memorabilia now, although he turned 80 earlier this week, and having missed this summer’s international coverage due to the Covid outbreak, he has not had his contract with BBC’s Test Match Special renewed, after 14 years in the role.The auction will open with the sale of an original scorebook from his home debut for Ackworth Cricket Club in Yorkshire as a 13-year old in 1954, which is inscribed with the entry ‘J. Boycott batting at 8 scores 9 not out’.Other lots include a range of caps worn by his international opponents, including Greg Chappell’s Baggy Green and Viv Richards’ maroon West Indies cap – which have a reserve price of £3200 and £4000 respectively – as well as the shirt worn by Michael Holding at Barbados in 1981, when he bowled Boycott for a duck in one of the most fabled overs of all time.In addition to his 100th hundred bat, which could fetch in excess of £30,000, Boycott’s collection includes the bat with which he went past Garry Sobers’ then world-record Test runs total of 8032, at Delhi in 1981, and the one with which he scored his Test-best 246 not out against India at Headingley in 1967 – an innings for which he was then dropped for slow scoring.

“The India contracted players don’t know when they’re playing next, that’s a massive concern”

Sruthi Ravindranath20-Nov-2020Lisa Sthalekar feels the BCCI should have launched a full-fledged IPL-style women’s league “probably yesterday”. While the Indian board has been heading in the “right direction” vis-à-vis women’s cricket, it has been “quite slow” to move on a women’s IPL, Sthalekar stressed, and “the fact that the India contracted players don’t know when they’re playing next, that’s a massive concern”.”The reason why Australian cricket has been going so well in the women’s game is because we’ve invested in it.” Sthalekar, former Australia captain and commentator, said during a digital workshop about women in news and sport. “I still remember the first year we [Women’s Big Bash League] went to eight teams. We had only six teams in state cricket so we extended it by two.”ALSO READ: What’s next for India women?Much of the BCCI’s reluctance to roll out an IPL-style women’s league has historically been down to the perceived lack of depth in the domestic pool of players. While the WBBL, currently is in its sixth season, has gone from strength to strength and assumed standalone status last year, the Indian board is yet to expand the Women’s T20 Challenge (WT20C), which began in 2018 as a one-off exhibition match and has since involved three teams contesting in a total of four games.”I heard the argument in India that we don’t have the depth – we [Australia] didn’t think we had the depth at that time. Maybe things were a bit weaker to start with. Now look what’s happening. More and more girls pick up bat and the ball. We’re seeing quality teams where we’re already in the 42nd match of the season and we don’t know who’s going to make the final. It says that you [have] got to take a bit of a gamble but when is the right time to do anything? Probably yesterday.”The Indian women’s team, meanwhile, was expected to ride the wave of increased interest and viewership in the wake of a runners-up finish at the T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this year, and a four-team WT20C seemed to be on the cards. But the Covid-19 pandemic not only put paid to those plans, it led to cancellation of several bilateral series. As such, India have not played any international cricket since the T20 World Cup final against Australia on March 8 and could next take the field only early next year, if the proposed tour of Australia goes ahead.”I think they (BCCI) are moving in the right direction but everyone’s quite slow to actually form women’s IPL, to provide enough matches,” Sthalekar said. “I know the pandemic and what the situation is like in India, but the fact that the India contracted players don’t know when they’re playing next, that’s a massive concern. They’ve just played a T20 World Cup final. They’re going to fall behind. I feel they’re the biggest untapped market and if they get it right the Indian women are going to dominate.”Innovations at the BBL – ‘I’m not a fan’
The latest Big Bash League innovations – Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost – have divided opinion sharply, and Sthalekar was clear that she was “not a fan” of them, and highlighted that the women’s game did not need any such innovations.”I don’t think we need to be so innovative. I’ve just come back from the IPL [after a commentary stint]. We had a double-Super Over, we had a weekend full of Super Overs. I mean, you’re going to get one-sided affairs every now and then. The T20 game was to purely bring in a new audience, predominantly younger families and females, let’s be honest. Now you’re bringing in all these rules. Why are we making it more complicated than what it needs to be? I’m not a fan,” she argued. “As for the WBBL, we’re starting to see big enough scores. As long as the pitches and the decks have pace and bounce, we are going to see decent scores.”The Women’s T20 challenge, unfortunately it was a short turnaround and had low, slow wickets, hardly those girls training and it wasn’t the best advertisement for the game. I think in the WBBL, we’ve got it right. We can probably change rules slightly but they won’t change it because they keep the rules similar to international cricket, which I think is the right thing to do.”Why can’t we talk about Kimmince and Harris?
At ESPNcricinfo, we have been discussing the subject of same-sex relationships in cricket, and the fact that women cricketers have traditionally been more comfortable coming out when compared to their male counterparts. Sthalekar stressed that the conversation around homosexuality needed to be normalised within the sport, much more than has been the case.”There certainly seems to be more acceptance in women’s sport to be comfortable sharing that. Again, I think Australia’s leading the way. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done around the world. It needs to be seen as okay,” she said. “If you watch the coverage, we don’t make a big deal out of it. It is what it is, and we just move on.”We talk about it because if we’re going to talk about Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc why can’t we talk about Delissa Kimmince and Laura Harris? It should be part of the normal conversation.”