News

Woman captains men’s cricket team (July 6)
The Knutsford Cricket Club in the UK has appointed 22-year-old Sarah Hollins as Captain of its Second XI mens team.
Hollins started playing for the team when they were short of players and soon fiound herself in the vice-captain role. Now she has been asked to step into the top job.
See this report from the Manchester Evening News

Edwards backs Fosters deal (Mar 16)
Cricket Australia’s decision to renew its $25 million sponsorship deal with the Fosters brewing group has caused some controversy -- with some critics saying a more open process might have reaped greater rewards – but the deal has a supporter in the women’s team.
From Cricket Australia: Australian batswoman Sarah Edwards has said the new Foster's sponsorship to encompass all levels of cricket, will be a boost for women's cricket in this country.
Speaking at the announcement of the brewing giant's restructuring of its association with Cricket Australia, the 24-year-old indicated that there are a number of factors that will lead to greater participation of young girls in playing cricket.
"Sponsorship such as Foster's is certainly going to improve the rate of girls going into the sport," said Edwards.
"Participation rates have taken off since things like the Milo 'Have A Go' program – and there are new initiatives for the under 14 girl's program which are important."
"I guess it is really important to start young, like in primary schools, and then get girls down at local clubs to see the sport continue to grow."
The time is now, as interest in the game has never been at a higher level. According to Cricket Australia chief, James Sutherland, participation in Australian cricket has risen an unprecedented 11.3 percent since the 2004-05 season to 532,000 participants.
Edwards is hoping a good number of those new participants will be young girls. Along with the Australian men's team's well-documented Ashes campaign, she sees the success of the women's team, the Southern Stars as a key factor.
"The Southern Stars have been extremely successful having won the World Cup last year and having just had a clean sweep of the series against India," said Edwards.
"Their success is definitely going to encourage young girls to take up the sport and when they can see the opportunities to travel and to play sport that is also going to have a positive effect."
As too, will the increase in media coverage for the women's team.
"There has definitely been a big improvement in the coverage we are getting into the media."
'More people are aware that a women's comp does exists that women's Australian team does exist and that it is very successful."
"And once the young girls realise the opportunities that come with representing the country are great – it will have a big effect."
Edwards, who made her debut on the Ashes tour last year, said it was a truly great to be a part of an Australian Cricket team on tour.
"It was an amazing experience to just be part of the group," commented Edwards.
"The girls are great, just their professionalism - to be training with the best players in the world and know you are a part of it, was great."
Cricket Australia

Cricket academy for UK (Mar 15)
The British county of Durham is set to launch the nation’s first cricket academy for women, under the guidance of former international bowler Clare Taylor.
The long-serving member of the national team retired last northern summer, after a win in the Ashes series. (Pic: Women’s Cricket on the Web)
BBC story
Player profile

Coaching ideas too wayward (Oct 26)
Australian fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick caused a stir when she was employed to assist the Australian men's team prepare for their Super Test against the World XI at the SCG earlier this month.
It has been suggested the fast bowler was asked to provide fast bowling assistance to the struggling men's team, who went the entire Ashes series without a specialist bowling coach.
Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson one was of many commentators enraged by the decision.
"It is a symptom of too many peripheral and left-field coaching ideas rather than paying attention to the basics of preparing a cricket team to play a Test match,” he told Melbourne's Age recently.
"I don't know if Glenn McGrath or Brett Lee are going to pick up too much out of it, which makes you wonder what is the point of it."
However, Cricket Australia defended the move saying that Fitzpatrick, an experienced coach at club level and currently a scholarship coach with Cricket Australia, was simply undertaking apprenticeship coursework.
"She is working with the bowlers but her role is wide and varied," Cricket Australia stated.
By Shane Worrell

Australian domestic structure the best (Oct 20)
Australia's domestic cricket structure has been praised in a recent Asian cricket seminar in Pakistan.
Officials from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met in Lahore recently to discuss ways of improving domestic structures in their respective countries.
Sri Lankan Women's Cricket Association President Gwen Heart said Australia's domestic and club system should be used as a model for the Asian nations, saying the difficulty in attracting sponsors was holding back proposed improvements.
“We lack the much-needed inter-club program because of lack of funds, an area of grave importance. If we can get these two schedules going, it will add more clout to women's cricket future,” she said.
The discussions come as Pakistan prepares to host the inaugural Asia Cup in late December.
Pakistan Cricket Board Women's secretary Shamsa Hashmi says the tournament, which will see Asian heavyweights India take on Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will be beneficial to cricket in Asia.
"It's a big honour for Pakistan to be the first host of the Asia Cup and the event will definitely raise the standard of cricket in Asia," Hashmi said.
Support for the game has been growing in Asia, following the ICC taking control of the women's game worldwide and the Pakistan Cricket Board now responsible for the game on a national level.
By Shane Worrell

Spirit looking to defend title (Oct 13)
Victoria Spirit will be looking to defend the title it won in 2004/05 when the Women's National Cricket League commences next month.
Victoria will be hampered by the loss of former Australian captain Belinda Clark who retired from cricket following the recent Ashes tour.
Clark was the competition's leading run scorer last season with 397 runs at 44.11.
Her departure opens the door for promising youngster Tammy Norquay, who may be given an early opportunity to impress.
The Spirit will hope the experienced Mel Jones can emulate her 2004/05 heroics with the bat and Clea Smith can put in another fine performance with the ball.
Veteran quick Cathryn Fitzpatrick will once again spearhead the attack in what may be her last season for the Spirit.
The Spirit's main competition is expected to come from archrivals New South Wales, the team it narrowly beat in last season's finals series.
Victoria will take on South Australia in its season opener in Adelaide on November 19.
By Shane Worrell
Victoria Spriti home page -- www.vicspirit.com.au

Features

Beyond Belinda (Nov 8, 2005)
What now for cricket?

Cathryn Fitzpatrick profile (Nov 8, 2005)
The world’s fastest female bowler

Down but not out (Nov 7, 2005)
Despite the loss of the Ashes, cricketers are optimistic

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