On a lazy day in February only last year, the rumours became fact. A Women’s Big Bash League, in some shape or form, would be staged the following season.
The announcement’s timing was discrete, jammed into one of the few rest days during the month-long Cricket World Cup that was unfolding across the country.
It was a tidy bit of public relations – enough detail to show that there was something in the pipeline, yet sufficiently obscure not to have to commit to too much. Anyone that was prone to digging had a men’s World Cup to contend with, and an Australian side en route to the title. Attention was elsewhere.
The hope, or the gamble, was that more substantial plans would fall into place later. Among the top female players, there was widespread scepticism. One international spoke freely within cricketing circles about the frustration of once again putting an off-field career on hold. For what? Another contract to be bound by with inconvenient and unrelenting time commitments, but little in return.
This, after all, was the story of women’s sport to date.
The gamble paid off. At the time, those in charge hadn’t a clue what the plan was, other than it was happening, whatever “it” was.
That there would be eight women’s teams tied to the eight pre-existing men’s franchises had been a source of some contention. In hindsight this seems incredulous – the success of the inaugural WBBL lies largely in having had an existing infrastructure, which was both popular and identifiable, on which to build.
Still, scepticism prevailed. The novelty factor weighed in. Would the momentum last?
Film sequels, as a rule, flop. A good bottle of Bordeaux however, matures with age. On the evidence of the opening week of the second edition of the WBBL, this could be a very fine wine indeed. Last season’s viewing stats hinted that Cricket Australia (CA) were onto a good thing; this year’s might have already confirmed it.
Four of the first eight matches were shown live on free-to-air television, one even on prime time Saturday night, and the other four were live streamed online. Viewing records were smashed, as the peak national audience reached 637,000. For one weekend, Australia was immersed in an unprecedented sea of women’s sport. In stumping up $600,000 in incremental broadcasting costs last year, CA suffered short term loss for long term gain.
It’s not just cricket, either, where this investment approach is catching on. Competition drives productivity, or at least capitalism preaches as much. The launch of AFL Women’s just months ago has served such a purpose.
The Melbourne Stars-cum-Western Bulldogs all-round talent Emma Kearney was quoted earlier this month declaring that cricket was “threatened” by the AFL. It’s soundbites like these that keep the one-upmanship alive; five days later Kearney was bowling live to record-breaking viewers.
In return, a successful WBBL will likely positively impact both the spectators and administrators of the inaugural AFL Women’s season.
The scheduling of the WBBL, of course, has also been key. Not much else was happening last week. The men were in between Test series. In a world where the unexpected is becoming the norm, already there are aspects of the WBBL which are becoming grounded in tradition. The opening games of the tournament are now the de facto curtain raiser for the start of the men’s BBL. The merits in labelling the women’s event as a ‘warm-up’ to the male equivalent can be debated, and there’s a danger the WBBL will be sidelined once the men’s competition starts, but this was always inevitable.
At least now the two come hand-in-hand, and the dynamic within the franchises is beginning to reflect this. Sponsor events, media appearances and everything in between are being fronted by players of both sexes – Meg Lanning or Glenn Maxwell, the punters care not.
The content has changed too. The coverage now centres far more on the cricket itself – Lanning’s catch, Alex Blackwell’s six, Deandra Dottin’s drive. It’s a far cry from hearing of Lanning and Ellyse Perry’s modelling bouts, perched on bar stools in the interval of a men’s Test match. While revelling in viewer figures remains a CA obsession, there has been less triteness around its advocacy, and more of a sense of just getting out there to create a good product.
There is room for improvement. Some on Twitter are frustrated at the amateur nature of the live feed, and more pressingly, some of the players are finding it difficult to manage the increasing expectations of signing along the dotted line. The salaries now are truly in semi-professional territory, but holding down another job to make up the other half demands a flexibility most employers are unwilling to give.
It was recently announced that female contracted players would, for the first time, be included in the collective bargaining negotiations between CA and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA). Women have been represented by the ACA since 2007, but many had found their voices secondary to the men, or at the very least that the organisation was failing to understand the differing demands of semi-professionalism instead of full-time cricketing employment.
A place at the table is a welcome step, but only, that is, as long as the ACA isn’t scrapped altogether. This is a real danger, now that CA have announced its intention to stop funding the organisation. Win one battle, another arises – progress was never meant to be easy.
There are also just two sub-continental internationals featuring in this year’s tournament. It’s two more than last season, at least. That Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s prize all-rounder, has been dominating proceedings so far for the Sydney Thunder can only encourage both the franchises and the home boards to facilitate further sub-continental signings.
Harmanpreet scored 77 unbeaten runs in the Thunder’s first two matches and has made enough of an impression for Adam Gilchrist to tweet his approval. “A wonderful addition,” the former Australian gloveman remarked, in a thinly veiled plea for more of the same.
Gilchrist’s social media intervention, above all else, might point to the one true barometer of success. Gilchrist, like a few notable others in the men’s professional game, such as Jason Gillespie, Mike Hussey and Mitch Starc (albeit the latter with a vested interest), has long been an unprompted champion of women’s cricket.
The surest sign that the women’s game has made an impact, however, and that it has truly been embraced as a staple of the Australian summer, will be when others, the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner and Kevin Pietersen, start voluntarily voicing their support too. As a matter of course, the Southern Stars watch, comment on and support their male counterparts publicly, often on social media. This is yet to be widely reciprocated.
Frustration remains, as does the cynicism to some degree, but much of it is about creating a culture shift – something which can’t simply be forced. It’s happening – one only need read the outrage at the sensationalist headlines about a supposedly ominous pregnancy clause in CA female contracts to know that there is an audience, and an interest.
Women are becoming part of Australian cricketing culture, and that’s a huge achievement considering the bullish male nature of the sport not all that long ago. But it’s not there yet. Until then, there is work to do.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Cricket is actually the most feminine equal of the major team sports. Don Bradman was a small light man, but the ball would fly off the bat, with skilfull timing If you look at Mark Taylor, he was as fast as a women cricketer, but one of the best test fielders, because test cricket fielding is about catching . Unlike the other chunky cricketers, Taylor was not a great hitter of the ball the current women could match his hitting power, but he is considered a top class test cricket opener. There is no reason if enough women dedicated themselves they could not become the equivalent of a top class male test batsman. Rugby on the oher hand forget it the top womens teams would be steamrolled easily by any mens team. If you look at netball, this a sport which for women is highly developed and non existent for men. The reality is they could be beaten by a group of tall athletic men quite easily. What really blows all these arguments out of the water is you have weght divisions in all combat sports, So people are prepared to watch the lower end of the spectrum despite the heavier fighters being able to defeat them. same should apply to all womens sports, you watch the best of each devision or sex.
BrainsTrust
Guest
How would they be up against the football codes.A-league situation would be the same as current with the A-league being on pay TV. Super rugby starts next and all their matches are on Pay Tv. Same applies for any pre season AFL matches on Pay tv. Its free air space on free to air TV as far as sport is concerned.during Feb. The only big overlap would be NRL, that would leave the latest date for the final mid March avoiding both the AFl and the Easter show and letting the Scorchers have Burswood. Renegades would save a lot of money without the cost of drop in pitches. Plus AFL could charge them any rent they want to after their current deal. They would probably have to move anyway, since the AFL will be staging concert after concert anyway once their current deal is up to make all the money they can. This is a city where so many AFL teams share the same grounds there is no concept of a home ground anymore. What might happen is the womens BBL starts getting big attendances, because people are used to now going to the big bash during holidays, and the women can put even cheaper prices than the men. The ratings similiar there is hardly any sport on Free to air, with the WBBL then copying the BBL league and scheduling itself when internation cricket is not on. So many people will be forced to watch it. If they are desperate for mens cricket only the Sheffield Shield will be on and thats not televised.
Mitcher
Guest
Are there really 'so many blokes' here doing that? And if you don't like their opinions, don't read them, don't incessantly respond to them. It doesn't impact you if they're filling the infinite space of the internet.
anon
Guest
No offence to women cricketers, but I watch the Big Bash League to see the ball get bashed.. In women's cricket I don't see the ball bashed nearly enough. Despite the under 14's boundary line, team's sometimes struggle to score more than 100 runs. Most scores seem to be sub-120 runs. It's good content filler for One and Ten. They got the rights for a song and it provides a good lead in to the main event. If One weren't showing women's cricket on a Sunday afternoon they'd be otherwise showing reruns of M*A*S*H, reruns of Escape with ET, and monster truck racing, so it's an improvement for them no doubt. Sorry, I can't get enthused though despite political correctness behooving me to be positive about the WBBL and women's AFL.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Men's sport have also enjoyed the luxury of being either professional or at least part of high performance programs for a great deal longer than their women counterparts. I suspect you'll see marked increases in the power aspects many apparently crave as they transition more and more toward full professionalism.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Do you think the phenomenal TV ratings and the crowds would be there if the BBL was up against the football codes? I doubt it. Also the Renegades would need a new ground; with the AFL now owning Etihad, the cricket pitches would have to be out by the time the AFL pre-season games start. Probably similar with the Scorchers and the new Burswood Stadium. Thunder would also have a clash with the Royal Easter Show on years with an early Easter which would affect their access to Spotless Stadium. (Which is why GWS always play two of their Canberra games in a block early in the season).
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I don't know that it's that. There's a big difference between acknowledging that there's a big attraction in sport to speed and power and feats that just seem dramatically beyond any level you could ever conceive of playing at. To have bowlers so quick that there's no chance I'd be willing to pad up and face them as I'd probably barely see the ball before it hit me, batsmen not just clearing the fence but hitting the ball way back up high into the stands, things like that draw crowds. Women's cricket doesn't have those things. They aren't the only things that draw people to watch the sport, but they certainly add dramatically to the attraction. There's a reason most coverage includes bowling speeds and these days even measuring how long the sixes are. We love that stuff. There are some of the ingredients that people are looking for in sport that are there just the same in the women's game, but there are others they are just never going to have. And that's one of the big reasons why for the most part, men's sport attracts more crowds and viewers.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
I often question whether those who assert women's sport as being naturally inferior due to physiological reasons actually appreciate the concept of the contest that is central to sporting competition itself. I also find it odd that so many just assume that just by being born male that regardless of the talent and skill level of female athletes they'll naturally just be able to best them. That's like me assuming that despite having not played Rugby in any substantial capacity in a decade and ignoring the fact that I was a Prop, that I could easily run out onto the pitch and run rings around the Aussie Womens 7s squad. After all, I did play at a reasonably high level before I stopped. Having actually seen ours 7s squad invaction I know I'd stand no chance.
Mike Dugg
Guest
It's an opinion site. People are entitled to say their peace. You may not like it, but female sport has a lot to overcome. These comments here although hard to hear for some, are true really. You've got to give the public something worthwhile for them to plonk down their hard earned money. As others have said above, most fans want to see something they couldn't dream doing themselves; awesome fears of strength, speed and daring when watching their sport. That along with the constant calls for female athletes to earn equal money to men when they haven't spent the decades of hard slog to achieve high pay rates like the men have, also is a hard truth.
BrainsTrust
Guest
IPL is April to May, so no issues there. The point is you have a choice of selling two products. One is lesser to the other amd people will not buy it if the other is availabble, but you know that if the other isn't available in peak season people will have no choice.The other product you can only sell it for a short period. So why not put the womens in the summer slot, restore the SHeffield Shield to a continous season, and then you have the BBL in the tougher enviroment. Whatever you lose on the BBL you will gain back double on the WBBL. Its hitting the jackpot three times.
BrainsTrust
Guest
This is all the more reason to give then women the holday spot where people will watch just about anything. If the BBL is so good then let it draw crowds and ratings after the Sheffield Shield season is over. The IPL failed to rate on Australian television, was so bad they would not even show it. IPL has got the best of the best and does not suffer from missing players like the BBL. Channel Ten supposedly paid quite a bit for it as well. In this case Channel 10 has picked up a gem on the cheap. Same for womens AFL , the ratings it delivered versus the price makes it a better option for the TV networks. Mens AFL is about twice the price per viewer than the mens Big Bash. Womens AFL and BBL then thrash both by the proverbial mile.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Brains Trust, not sure if you're being serious with your idea. But in case you are - running the BBL into February-March would put it up against the NRL, Super Rugby, and the AFL pre-season & AFLW. The holiday season is great for the BBL. Games running late into the night isn't such an issue if the kids don't have school the next day. Much as I enjoyed the WBBL games last weekend, I can't see giving it the peak holiday period and moving the BBL back working out. The ratings last weekend were respectable enough; but still well short of what the BBL will get. Also, not only would a later BBL clash with the football codes, but also the big-money IPL; which would make it hard for our comp to attract international marquee players.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I just find it funny so many blokes have to come on here and trash it. It reeks of insecurity. If you don't like it, don't watch it. I don't watch it much either, but I at least understand why they are playing and appreciate others may have a different view as to the sport. It doesn't impact me if they're playing, so why not just let them get on with it.
The Bush
Roar Guru
It should be pointed out that this isn't a "complaint" only against women's cricket. It's a common feeling about almost all female sport. I essentially share your views Chris, I watch my favourite sports because the athletes competing in them are doing things I can barely dream of doing. As a rule, I don't get that feeling watching women's cricket, rugby or football. But the WBBL is serves several key purposes and I doubt I'm the target market anyway. If it get's more girls into sport and more specifically into cricket, that' a great thing. If it finds a market for people that want to watch it and can then become self-sustaining, even better.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I know mate, you've told us how much better you are in every women's cricket thread for the last 12 months. You're a real hero.
I hate pies
Guest
Sorry, but I'm not going to continue to defend myself on here. I don't like women's cricket because I can play better than them. Professional sport is meant to be about watching the best, not watching the best of a certain category even if they're not very good or despite their limitations. I don't care if you like it, and I don't care if you think I'm complaining. I'm not going to say anything more about it.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Sorry, I find it hard to take seriously men complaining that the problem with women's cricket is that it's not the same as men's cricket. Have you ever considered perhaps that you and Chris clearly aren't the target audience? And perhaps also you should focus on how their physical limitations creates points of difference, and appreciate those, rather than have the same old moan in every thread that the bowling isn't 150km and sixes aren't going 100m.
I hate pies
Guest
Paul, read Chris Kettlewell's post below; that about sums up my feelings.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I did see a little of the WBBL over the weekend. At one point wanted to sit and watch some, wanting to support it, but still can't get over the feeling that watching women's cricket is a bit akin to watching local 5th grade park cricket. All the bowling is so much slower, the boundaries are roped way, way in etc. One of the things that's awesome about watching top level sport is often being in awe of the speed and power and skill and so much of that isn't there. You aren't going to get rocketing fast bowling, you aren't going to get sixes high into the stands, all these sorts of things people love about it just aren't there. It's one of the big reasons why it's so much of a harder sell.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Watched some of the women's bash cricket the other day. Very impressed as they seem to be getting better and stronger each year