With the mother of all events, Cricket World Cup 2023, going on, all the cricket fans were keeping an eye on the tournament, Asia Cup 2023 and other bilateral series. Well, no one can blame the fans, as only they are keeping the sport alive and reaching another level with the inclusion of cricket in the Asian Games and now has been added to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
But it’s not fair to keep our attention confined to “Men’s Cricket” as the women are also putting in the same kind of effort and are now even paid the same salary, thanks to cricket boards like BCCI and Cricket New Zealand.
And it’s our duty now to give much-needed attention to women’s cricket, which is why Caughtatpoint brings a piece on what we all have missed while we were busy enjoying the World Cup.
Here’s what has happened in the last month or two in the space of women’s cricket, whjch the fanboys wont understand was very much thriving while the Men’s ODI CWC 2023 was on as it still is:
The Indian Women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, clinched the Gold Medal at the Asian Games on their first appearance in the multi-sport event. India faced Sri Lanka led by the stalwart of Sri Lankan cricket, Chamari Atapattu. While India could only put 116 on the board with the contributions from Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, the bowlers did a great job in defending the score. The Indian Women’s team found a gem in Titas Sadhu, who is an exceptional 19-year-old talent from Bengal and picked three wickets in her four-over quota, giving just six runs in the final of the Asian Games. Titas made her India debut in the semi-final and picked one wicket in that game as well.
She was also a part of the U-19 World Cup winning team, who picked up three wickets in the final and is on the path of India’s legendary seam bowler, Jhulan Goswami.
Hayley Matthews from the Caribbean team, scripted numerous records in the bilateral series against Australia women.
The 25-year-old amassed 310 runs in a three-match T20I series and became the one to score the most runs in a T20I series. She also racked up a knock of 132, which is the highest-ever individual score against Australia in the T20Is. Also, she is now the first-ever player to score over 700 runs in a calendar year in the shortest format.
Argentina Women’s team scripts history scoring 427 runs in a T20I game, which is the highest total ever in the history of the shortest format. Lucia Taylor and Albertina Galan made an opening partnership of 350 runs with the former scoring 169 and Galan scoring 145 against Chile.
The BCCI have announced two Tests for the Women’s team in December 2023. Indian women’s team are hosting a multi-format series against Australia and England, where the Indian team will also be playing one Test match against both nations.
After nine long years, Indian women’s cricket are hosting Test matches and the Harmanpreet Kaur-led group is excited to be playing the longest format at home.
The women’s team of Bangladesh won a nail-biting super over against the Pakistan team yesterday. While Pakistan won the first ODI, Bangladesh had to win the second game to keep the series alive. With Nigar Sultana’s 54-run knock, Bangladesh somehow managed to put 169 runs on the board.
The bowlers of Bangladesh bowled out the Pakistan team on 169 and the game went to super over, where Bangladesh needed 1 run on the last ball and the captain Nigar Sultana smashed a four winning the game for her team.
These were some notable happenings in the last month when it comes to International Women’s cricket. When it comes to the T20 leagues, WPL retentions have already happened and are all set for the second season, which will again provide a boost to the women’s cricket. Let’s come together to support women’s cricket and make it as popular as men’s cricket.
Image source: T20 World Cup website (Creator: Ashley Vlotman Copyright: Gallo Images)
