Women’s Cricket: Breaking Glass Barriers

Initial years of awe in women’s cricket:

How awkward must it had been when a woman holding a wooden piece of bat walking down the ground hoping to score centuries for her team at a time when all these good-sounding words are supposed to be dedicated to men?

To everyone’s surprise, the first women’s cricket match was played in 1745 between two Surrey villages. They were Bramley and Hambledon with teams distinguished by the colors of their ribbon.

As  progress hits the women’s cricket

As developments towards the lady’s game started to grab the eyes, the first women’s club was called the White Heather Club. The ladies of the Yorkshire aristocracy in 1887 formed it.

With cricket gradually started picking up pace among the elite class in the united kingdom women did not shy away from holding bats and balls perfectly fitting their hands.

As the World War 1 was at its end, a major turning point in the history of women’s cricket was experienced. The first governing body was dedicated primarily to women in 1918.

The objective of the council was discreet. The idea was to provide facilities and bring together those women and girls who earlier had had little opportunity to play cricket after leaving school.

With time, growth was making its path as clubs and associations were formed and matches were played. Moreover, a decade later there were 105 women’s clubs affiliated to the world cricket association.

First International Women’s match

The time had arrived for women to don their national jerseys and lace up their boots to play cricket for their nation. Stretching across oceans, England vs. Australian cricket team locked horns against each other in 1934.

Though England won the match, ultimately women’s cricket bagged jubilation and fame.

As time was given its due respect, the women’s cricket was rewarded for their patience. The constitution of an organization called the International Women’s Cricket Council was put into place in 1958. It stood completely inclined towards the welfare of the game.

As ‘progress’ was the only route that was taken for women’s game, the World Cup in 1973 became a matter of delight for every sportswoman across the globe. Seven teams, including England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Tobago and international XI (from all participating countries ) took part in the tournament.

It was in 1992 that women’s cricket achieved its major feat when New Zealand’s cricket became the first test-playing nation to merge its men’s and women’s cricketing team set-up.

In 1998, England was quick to think on the lines of New Zealand. In recent times as the team continues to rise high, professional contracts have become an order of the day.

Is the future of the women’s Game bright?

Australia recently hosted the world cup earlier this year which ticked the bigger box of spectators. Record-breaking 85000 and above assembled at Melbourne stadium to watch the finals between India vs Australia.

With women’s cricket garnering enormous eyeballs, the bar of the standard of the game is bound to touch skies. Overall, the future of the sport remains upright and bright.