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2018 Diary A Ramble on Women's Cricket
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Previous Page : New Zealand's Woes
The 100-ball Solution
Putting the problem of the new 100 ball format to my wife recently, how to make it different, exciting and attract people like her to watch, she said, well it's simple really. What you do is...
I am sure there are refinements we could make to this idea and I'd be intrigued if you have any I could proffer. Just email me... donjmiles@gmail.com.
Simply the Best?
Ask (almost) anyone around the boundary in England who is the finest batsman in the world and they will, admittedly grudgingly, conceed it is probably Australian Meg Lanning. Until recently I would have not waited for an instant to give the same reply.
Now, I would have to admit, I would hesitate. Has that anything to do with Lanning's performance recently? I would say not. It's true injury hasn't helped her but I'm sure we'll (England that is) find her just as difficult to master as we've always done.In fact it's more to do with a new rising star in women's cricket. Before I had seen her this summer the last glimpse (and indeed the first glimpse) I'd had was in 2014 when she toured with India. If I hadn't already told you, you would have guessed by now I am talking of this lady...
A number of things immediately impressed me, not least that she always seems to play with a smile on her face as you can see here and in some of the images to follow. Foremost perhaps though was the sheer purity of her stroke play. The first attacking shot I recall was a fine cover drive that David Gower would have been proud of. At the time I thought that a fine talent had just been revealed to those watching in the UK and was a little surprised when some commentators described her pulling and hooking as being her strong points when her drive had been so high class. Perhaps that just revealed that she already had shots all around the wicket. How would she progress I wondered.
Being ill during most of the World Cup in 2017, I saw her again only during the Kia Super League during this season, 2018, although I did follow the Cup via the TV screen. This summer I have been able to appreciate how much that talent has blossomed. Take a look at these numbers...
Not only does she, as I type, lead the run scorers list in this tournament but those runs have come, as befits a T20 show, at quite a lick.
When I have been able to watch some of those innings I have been impressed not just with the tally but with the timing with which she plays. The sound of the bat on ball has been perfection itself.
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