Meg Lanning’s Australian women’s Twenty20 side is deserving of far more support.
They thumped the West Indies by 86 runs in the curtain-raiser at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday in front of two men and a dog.
The men’s team played that night but were whupped by South Africa by seven wickets in front of a 25,370 crowd.
The girls played far better and far more entertaining cricket than Aaron Finch’s side.
Lanning’s only 22, but is already a seasoned international of 32 ODIs, 47 T20s, and a couple of Tests.
Batting three on Wednesday, after a swift opening stand of 93 off 11.2 overs between Elyse Villani (50 off 34), and all-rounder Jess Jonassen (47 off 39), Lanning increased the pressure with 45 off just 26. That launched the Australians to post 3-160 off their 20 overs.
The Windies struggled to finish with 9-74, aided by excellent Australian fielding.
Lanning has enormous depth in her side, led by 24-year-old all-rounder Ellyse Perry who has been a dual international cricketer and footballer for the last eight years.
No other Australian, man or woman, has been a dual international at 16, and no other man or woman has played in both cricket and football World Cups. Watching Perry in action is worth the price of admission alone, but there’s a new talent on the international block – 30-year-old leggie Kristen Beams.
Despite the lack of international experience, she has superb control of line and length with a perfect loop that tantalises opposition batswomen. Last Wednesday she returned the best figures of 3-16 off her four overs.
Beams’ combination with keeper Alyssa Healy, a niece of former Test keeper Ian Healy, was outstanding with two stumpings, the loop doing the trick.
Healy is a class act with the gloves, obviously in the genes, as an integral part of a very professional cricket team.
Melbourne is the greatest sporting spectator city in the world, so prove it all again tonight by turning up to the MCG in droves to support this top team.
Then it’s Sydney’s turn on Sunday, and the same invitation goes out to you. Being Sunday there’s no excuse not to make an afternoon and night of it.
Chris
Guest
Not negative and cynical just facts women's football is the fastest growing sport on the planet. And still struggles to get press however the US and Europe are changing with much more attention shown to the women . The biggest sport for women in A Australia is Netball and that has taken many many years to get attention sorry mate netball and football are way ahead in the pecking order. And that is a fact not negative.
Nick
Guest
It's pretty dull though. I watched the windies game the other afternoon and the bowling was pedestrian and the batting about the level of talented school kids. The obvious question is, in this crowded sporting calendar with so much vying for your attention, why care? Obligation?
Redb
Roar Guru
Not only too much of a gap between games, but starting at 2pm on a normal work day significantly reduces those who could attend.
Pope Paul vii
Guest
I'd watch Australia play Nth Korea in test cricket just to see what the NKs have got
pjm
Roar Rookie
I was replying to matth and his hypocrisy.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
All right, I'll admit I have also watched woman's mud wrestling... In answer to your question, no I don't say anything. I just accept that sex sells...get use to it. It's the 21st century, no different to the 20th century or the 19th for that matter. You ever wonder why Beckham is still one of the highest paid footballers despite the fact he has pretty much suxed at the game since puberty? That's right, it's because he sells a truck load of Armani jocks.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Go down to your local park and see the same thing.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Do you say that to every woman who comments on the physical appearance of male athletes and sportsmen?
Adam Smith
Guest
The Southern Stars have won 6 world cups and 3 T20 cups. They deserve a lot more press than the Matildas. Getting crowds is only light years away if people like you with your negative cynical attitude talk.
Chris
Guest
Women's football is way ahead. The Matilda's won the Asian cup and didn't get much of a mention . The W league is breaking the mould with record crowds and record viewing live on the ABC . Women's cricket is light years away from this standard.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Ha ha Matth. I'd say the highest competition in the world is good enough - not necessarily the number one or two ranked team within that competition. I'm not interested in watching Australia's men cricketers play against Zimbabwe or Kenya in tests, or against Canada, Holland, etc. in the World Cup One Dayers. The standard isn't good enough. The girls team is no different in that respect. If you like watching seond-rate sport simply because it's the highest standard once you apply filters (like gender), then good for you. I can enjoy watching sport at any level, but I wouldn't pay to go watch
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Actually I take that back. I did go to the woman's volleyball at the Olympics in London. :)
matth
Guest
Let me know when you arrive in the 21st Century
matth
Guest
So you've decided on the standard and have never watched it at all. Good work! The cricket is actually quite different, more emphasis on placement for batters and ball movement for the bowlers than brute force. Today's game was actually a cracker. And Alyssa Healy 25 off 12 balls to finish with a ball to spare is a cracking effort in any form of the game. PS so by your standards, we shouldn't watch the men's team play either unless they are number 1 or 2 in the world. Otherwise it's just a lower standard than the very best as well right?
bluey
Guest
it is based on skill but they can't bowl as fast or hit as hard, thus less entertaining. Women's football is a good spectacle. I have no interest in watching the cricket to be completely honest. Yeah, it'd be nice if they got paid as much as the blokes for doing the same job, but they'll never attract the same amount of interest, sponsorship, and so they'll never reach the heights of men.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
what I really like about the women's game is that its great to see people representing Australia without all the big ego and entitlement that seems to happen in the men's teams like the Wallabies, kangaroos and Aussie cricket team. These girls have real passion and pride, as they aren't paid very much and most likely have to have a normal job on the side or study at the same time. Meg Lanning was quite impressive as a commentator too. If Channel 9 want more female talent in the sports coverage, they should cut out the no knowledge bimbos and have more current and former female athletes
Pumping Dougie
Guest
You're partially right Pope Paul VII - I haven't watched them at all. Some U12 cricketers are very skilfull and athletic too. Doesn't make them worth watching unless you're their dad. Some of them also play in the highest standard (for U12s). But seriously, premier grade cricket is probably the closest equivalent standard to international women's cricket, and that doesn't draw crowds either. Good luck to the women players - I'm not denigrating them. Just stating the obvious.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I don't reckon you've watched enough Dougie. They are very skillful and athletic. The missing ingredient is muscle power. They can't hit as hard or bowl as fast. It's the highest standard for females.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
agreed run it in as a proper curtain raiser.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Woman's cricket - is there such a game? Can someone confirm if any of them are hot! If so then I might rock up. I think the last woman's sporting event I went to was the Australian Open when Anna Bendherover was playing in the doubles. Now that was worth the $40 entry fee :)