The Women’s Ashes are stronger than ever

Meg Lanning during the 3rd ODI (Getty Images)

A revitalised format may just be the kicker of one of the most important women’s series outside of the World Cup.

The Women’s Ashes are well underway over in England, with Australia’s two point lead after the one-day internationals a crucial advantage heading into the only test match that starts on August the 11^th.

Critically, that test match was once the first match in the series, and whoever took the win from that almost guaranteed themselves a series win with the shorter form to play.  Having watched the likes of Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry make the England women stand up and take notice, putting the ODIs first does two good things:

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Cricket: Ryan Harris and Meg Lanning in the commentary box: fresh voices a welcome change

Meg Lanning at the Albert Ground (photo: Davis Harrigan)

No longer will the Channel Nine commentary box be an exclusive “boys club” this summer; at least, not for part of the season anyway.

Meg Lanning, Southern Stars and Victoria Spirit captain, might be 22, but she’s made so many inroads on the field that her recognition has skyrocketed. 

Beyond Realisation is turning two, and still going

Hannah Willmott (LTU) & her RMIT opponent at SUG 2014 (photo: Davis Harrigan)

At the end of August, Beyond Realisation hits its second birthday.

It does not feel like two years since I began writing on this blog, focusing on issues and discussions beyond the general reviews and previews.  On top of that, 20,500 views might not seem like a lot either, but it’s the culmination of hard work and passion.

Cricket: Southern Stars 3-peat a major boost

 

Australia’s cricketers celebrate their WT20 triumph (photo: Cricket Australia)

Australia’s female cricketers returned this week from what was a gutsy and determined World Twenty20 campaign in Bangladesh – and they returned with silverware.

Throughout the course of the tournament, the quality of the performances was high, and the games enthralling.  Forget that the crowds were small, or that most overseas viewers could not tune in visually until the semi-finals. 

Cricket: Women’s Ashes: Australia wants to bring the urn home

The victorious 2013 England women’s team (Google Images)

Cricket: Women’s Ashes: Australia wants to bring the urn home

If you want powerhouse teams in world cricket, Australia and England are two of them.  Experience, youth, leadership and talent all account for what will be a quality series.

Welcome to the next instalment of the Women’s Ashes.  Rather than play five test matches for a trophy, the squads play one test, three one day internationals and three Twenty20s based on a points system, which works like so:

Cricket: The Ashes: Is it me, or did The Cricket Show go to a new low?

Meg Lanning playing for Box Hill & Ellyse Perry for Australia (left photo mine)

On Day 4 of the Boxing Day test, high profile Southern Stars cricketers (the Australian women’s team) were guests on The Cricket Show, Channel 9’s lunch break segment.  The two players were opening batsman and vice-captain Meg Lanning, and dual international Ellyse Perry.

Cricket: VWCA Action (Premier 1sts) Round 6 and 7: Box Hill Mustangs Report

Australian, Victorian & Box Hill superstar Meg Lanning in action in the VWCA, Nov 17, 2013 (photo mine)

Game 1: Box Hill v Melbourne

(Albert Ground)

Box Hill 5/157 (M. Lanning 54, A. Lanning 49*, S. Tatchell 2/33) defeated Melbourne 4/113 (E. Jones 46 rt no, K. Black 32) by 44 runs

A last over knee injury to Melbourne opener Evelyn Jones was the only thing that overshadowed a strong Box Hill win at the Albert Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Sunny skies and a pleasant breeze greeted players and spectators, and Meg Lanning wasted no time, letting loose on the short boundaries. 

Cricket: Women just as good as men-and they need more exposure

The Australian women’s cricket team, the Southern Stars (sourced from Cricket News)

Equality is something the majority of people like to strive for, or perhaps participate in.  Sport, however, seems to be a whole different playing field at times.

Australia has a reputation for producing strong cricket sides.  However, it seems to be a little known fact that the Australian women’s cricket team, the Southern Stars, have been setting the bar across the world for women’s teams for several years now.