da dobrowin： Women’s cricket is beginning to emerge from the shadows
da betsson： Jenny Thompson30-Dec-2005
Giant strides: Till recently, playing sport in public was virtually unknown for women in Pakistan © Getty Images
At a time when the women’s game needed a shot in the arm it got a welcomeboost in May when, as expected, the IWCC merged with the ICC. This was asignificant fillip in a year in which one team – West Indies – nearlydropped out of the World Cup because of a lack of funding.Such financial worries should now be a thing of the past, leaving thewomen free to concentrate on their game, which is one that should becomeeven more professional if the ICC delivers on its promises.International teams have already benefited from various mergers of theirmen’s and women’s boards, none more so than in Pakistan where this yearthe women’s game took unprecedented steps forward, under theumbrella of the Pakistan Cricket Board who they merged with in 2004.After years of trying to gain recognition from the government, the PCB andthe public alike, Pakistan finally hosted their first match on home soil,against India Under-21. It was a massive, almost inestimable, stride notjust for women’s cricket, but for women’s rights too in the largelyconservative Islamic republic.Only ten years ago the first moves to introduce cricket to Pakistani women- by sisters Shaiza and Sharmeen Khan – had resulted in death threats andcourt cases and even in 2003, playing cricket in public was virtuallyunknown for women in Pakistan. But then came the India tour – which wasimmediately followed up with the Women’s Asia Cup in lateDecember, which was also held in Pakistan.But some things were as predictable as ever. Australia won the World Cupin South Africa, marching unbeaten into the final where they brushed asidethe first-time finalists India. But while Australia’s dominance has been asnore factor in the men’s game for quite some time (until recently thatis), in the women’s it continued to act as a shining example ofnear-professionalism.They beat England in the one-dayers and the Twenty20 to add to their ODIclean sweep (3-0) against New Zealand. But cracks were starting to appear- and they lost the Ashes in a two-match series which England won 1-0.Just three Tests were played all year, in fact, and England were involvedin all of them; the third was a drawn affair in India.Test cricket continues to be a curiosity in the women’s game: dusted offfor the occasional outing like a rarely worn hat, it sits awkwardly,attracts few compliments and even fewer spectators. Media coverage ispractically non-existent, although the Ashes was a pleasant exception,even making the front page of The Times newspaper.England’s captain Clare Connor is adamant that Test cricket will not dieoff just yet – even though only 16 matches have been played thismillennium. “It’s a tradition we want to continue,” she says, despitethere being no preparation, either mental or physical for this form ofcricket until the day arrives.As ever, it’s the one-dayers that matter – and specifically the World Cupwas the big prize up for grabs this year. But never mind trying to win,West Indies only just made it to the tournament at the eleventh hour aftersponsors came on board to rescue them. Yet, having been chalked up as thetournament whipping girls, these Cinderellas clawed their way into acredible fifth place and secured automatic qualification next time around.The stuff of dreams.Their batsman Nadine George was then awarded the MBE for her contributionto sport, capping a fairytale year for the team – and the sport ingeneral.
Rising star: England’s Holly Colvin © Getty Images
New (wo)man on the block: England’s Holly Colvin – one minute she waspreparing for her GCSEs, the next a stiffer examination came in the formof an Ashes debut at Hove. The 15-year-old sailed through and even foundherself on a hat-trick on her very first day.Fading star: Not so much fading stars as ones who chose to hang up theirboots . Australia lost the services of Belinda Clarkand Lisa Keightley – on the stage at least; the forward-thinking CricketAustralia went on to appoint Clark as head of their academy. England’sLucy Pearson and Clare Taylor also quit at the top level.High point: So many to pick from, but the IWCC merger with the ICC forwhat it means for the future, and the situation in Pakistan for buryingsome of the ghosts of the past certainly rank foremost.Low point: Robin Marlar set the cause back with his misogynistic comments- “Girls! It’s absolutely outrageous!” – while Cathryn Fitzpatrick stirredup controversy by helping as an unpaid assistant coach for Australia men’sTest against the World XI. “I can’t cop that” fumed Terry Alderman. “Thereare highly talented fast bowling coaches around the country yet they getsomeone like that in.”What does 2006 hold? India are visiting England and their itineraryincludes a trip to Lord’s, a match which will presumably be attended byMarlar in his capacity as the new president of MCC. Standby for fireworks.Tomorrow: Pakistan add method to madness