Start of the inaugural women’s county cricket day provokes thoughts that ECB have not capitalised on 2017 World Cup win
If you are hoping to spend the bank holiday watching men’s county cricket, then good luck. There are four Royal London One-Day Cup matches at Northampton, Leicester, Derby and Leeds – fine for those on the Midland Mainline and in Yorkshire, less so for everyone else – which feels like a squandered opportunity in an Ashes and World Cup summer. Others, though, glimpse an opening. Monday brings the launch of the inaugural Women’s County Cricket Day, which takes inspiration from football’s Non‑League Day by trying to encourage more cricket fans to support their local women’s team.
Unlike men’s cricket, there is no distinction between first-class and minor counties, and 32 of the 39 counties will be competing in 16 matches. The attempt to shine an overdue spotlight on the women’s county game comes at an intriguing but uncertain time. In recent weeks, several players have revealed they have had to pay for their own kit and travel, occasionally play on lousy pitches and often barely getting a presence on their county website.
Written by Sean Ingle
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/05/womens-county-cricket-day under the title “Women’s county cricket ready to enjoy a rare day in the spotlight”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
