[Cricket] Good luck Sarah Taylor, making cricket history

[Gwylan]

Sussex's Sarah Taylor is set to be the first woman to play in Australia's A grade cricket competition when she plays for Northern Districts this weekend.

Surprised not to see a mention of this, it's one hell of a breakthrough. I remember that Sussex registered her as a player for the men's team a couple of years ago, although she didn't actually play in the end. I wonder if she'll find her way into the 2nd XI before long.

 

[nwgull]

Could women theoretically play first class men's cricket then?

 

[Gwylan]

Could women theoretically play first class men's cricket then?

Yes - there are no restrictions on women playing in men's cricket. In practice, it's a big leap though

 

[Stat Brother]

Could women theoretically play first class men's cricket then?

Once they've done the ironing, cleaning and washing up they can do what they want.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Yes - there are no restrictions on women playing in men's cricket. In practice, it's a big leap though

It IS a big step, but there's really very little reason why it should be.

Taylor's a keeper -a specialist role relying on technique, athleticism and concentration - but not on size or strength, to any real extent. Similarly a spinner - there's no reason a female spinner couldn't compete fully.

 

[Hillian1]

I have no idea what goes through the mind of a professional sportsman/woman so this is merely a question.

Would a bloke bowl at her the same as he would another bloke?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I have no idea what goes through the mind of a professional sportsman/woman so this is merely a question.

Would a bloke bowl at her the same as he would another bloke?

I am absolutely NOT a top level cricketer, but I have bowled to batsWOMEN in the past. In my experience, your thought process is slightly different, UNTIL they smack one for four, and then its immediately back to no-holds barred.

 

[The Oldman]

See that Joe Gatting is playing for Northern Districts.

 

[Kuma]

Congrats to her, hope she does well

 

[Mackenzie]

I have no idea what goes through the mind of a professional sportsman/woman so this is merely a question.

Would a bloke bowl at her the same as he would another bloke?

I played against a couple of Essex women county players in a club match a couple of years ago. Technically very sound, difficult to get out, but could barely hit the ball off of the square.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

I played against a couple of Essex women county players in a club match a couple of years ago. Technically very sound, difficult to get out, but could barely hit the ball off of the square.

This comment has little relevance to Sarah Taylor. She is a brilliant wicket keeper and a batter that regularly clatters the boundary boards.

 

[Easy 10]

I'm sure they enjoy themselves, but I cannot envisage myself EVER going to watch a womens cricket match. Or football for that matter. Crowds for those events must be made up of a lot of friends and family.

 

[Nathan]

I am absolutely NOT a top level cricketer, but I have bowled to batsWOMEN in the past. In my experience, your thought process is slightly different, UNTIL they smack one for four, and then its immediately back to no-holds barred.

You mean you stop bowling under-arm to them!

 

[nwgull]

It IS a big step, but there's really very little reason why it should be.

Taylor's a keeper -a specialist role relying on technique, athleticism and concentration - but not on size or strength, to any real extent. Similarly a spinner - there's no reason a female spinner couldn't compete fully.

There's quite a lot of strength goes into spin bowling, especially wrist spin. The ball may not come out of the hand so fast, but that's because the effort is put into putting revs on the ball.

I don't think that a female keeper would have the same athleticism as an equivalently talented male. Think of how many times at first class or test level that you see 4 byes saved when a keeper makes a spectacular save from a slightly mid-directed 90mph short pitched delivery.

 

[Gwylan]

I'm sure they enjoy themselves, but I cannot envisage myself EVER going to watch a womens cricket match. Or football for that matter. Crowds for those events must be made up of a lot of friends and family.

The T20 match at the County Ground this summer was a complete sell-out - that must be a hell of a lot of friends and family. I've been to a few women's games and they're a really high standard and highly competitive.

There's not such a big gap between men's and women's cricket as there is between men's and women's football. I can certainly imagine a woman playing first class cricket in my lifetime but will never see a woman in the Football League.

 

[Easy 10]

The T20 match at the County Ground this summer was a complete sell-out - that must be a hell of a lot of friends and family. I've been to a few women's games and they're a really high standard and highly competitive.

Furry muff. It just holds zero appeal for me.

Selfishly, I get mildly irked by the amount of media coverage womens football has been getting lately, when only 15 people actually turn up to watch it.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Such a shame. Cricket clubs were always a good place to get away from women for a few hours on a Saturday.

 

[Hillian1]

Such a shame. Cricket clubs were always a good place to get away from women for a few hours on a Saturday.

Who makes the TEA?

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Who makes the TEA?

No tea over here. Too hot. Some bloke makes the cordial though.

 

[The Albion Roar]

Furry muff. It just holds zero appeal for me.

Selfishly, I get mildly irked by the amount of media coverage womens football has been getting lately, when only 15 people actually turn up to watch it.

Average attendances with top level women's football is on a par with Conference football - about 1,600.