From Joan of Arc to Queen Victoria, women have been an indomitable force.
From the original revolutionist, “Eve” to the original en vogue; Cleopatra, Women have been transformative.
From Mother Theresa to Princess Diana, women have been, the profoundly soulful reflection, of the species.
With that being the case, can Women also not play cricket?
In 1963, Len Hutton famously quipped, in retrospect response, that women playing cricket was “Absurd, like a man trying to knit”. How erred in his assessment he was. This was quipped at a charity match; 11 English men v 11 English women and albeit the men may have been gentlemanly, the Ladies resoundingly went on to win the match. Oh how erroneous he was!
The father of Cricket; the larger than life, Sir WG Grace.
Unless one was a result of a paternal parthenogenetically anomaly, one must also have a mother!
As did Cricket. Whilst the burly Grace believed that cricket was “not a game for women”, the early revolutionary Helen Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Archdale, begged to differ and mothered Cricket into what it is today.
A little known fact; the recorded maiden (pun intended) World Cup Cricket competition in the annals of the Game, with multiple teams from different parts of the world vying for a Trophy, a Global Cup; was the Women’s Cricket World Cup, Held in England in the year of 1973, beating the men by 730 days/runs and as a matter of fact, was the catalyst behind the Men’s rip off in 1975!1
The earliest recorded Women’s cricket match dates to the 18th Century.
Notwithstanding such antecedent and pedigree, the slow growth of the Women’s game from the early
18th century until the early 2000s; was a vestige of the misogynistic society of that time.
Decimating, such conventional “wisdom” and stifling traditions, to worthless rubble, the rubble it truly was, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint was the 1st women to Dare to apply for MCC membership. If to paraphrase, Rachael applied, so that Heather Knight Could Lead, so that Tammy Beaumont could shine!
The pioneers, the visionaries and the revolutionaries of Women Cricket have been manyfold, and their battles and convictions have alas been vindicated.
Women’s cricket in all its glorious forms, at all its incomparable levels, from the outstanding female international cricketer who trains 10 hours longer than her male counterpart, to the Most fair minded Lady Umpire, who allow not just her mind but her heart to guide her rulings, to the most non- conventional but most effective, Mom-next-door, turned most popular Lady Cricket Coach of the Local Sunday Club, to the Loyal and steadfast, League Lady Scorers, the Ladies’ Cricket is here to stay and deserve a lot more than just a corner seat, and rightfully so.
Over the past two decades Global cricket boards, the ECB in particular, in partnership with the ICC and the local County Boards have initiated a plethora of gateway and highest-level opportunities for the Women’s game. This has resulted in an exponential growth of Women’s cricket with Girls and Ladies playing cricket now (2023) more than ever before, numbers at times, have exceeded their male counter parts.
The Women’s contribution to the game, since the turn of the 21st of Century has been significant.
Today, there are more Women; Coaches, Umpires, Scorers and facilitators than ever before, culminating in the most recent announcement of a Female coach heading the Coaching unit of a Men’s league franchise team. Alas some parity alas progress!
However as Robert Frost prophesised, “the woods are lovely dark and deep but miles to go before I sleep”
Many a Stride has been made but many a stride remains to be made.
With ever increasing awareness and consciousness of the Women’s game, given the Global drive to promote the Women’s game, each local County, Each local District, Each local Club has an inherent unalienable moral and social obligation to promote, foster and enhance the Women’s game. Any Cricketing body falling foul of this cause is simply not “Playing cricket”.
This duty extends to schools and even families themselves, to support, nurture and encourage any young lady who wish to follow her dreams of being a cricketer.
Kent Cricket at County level has initiated several ECB and county funded programmes to promote Women’s cricket.
At Club level, one of the most historic clubs, founded in the 18th Century, located within Kent County, Dartford Cricket Club has been in the forefront of promoting the Women’s game for the past few years. From arranging umpire, coaching and scorer courses for Women, to organising regular All Women’s and All Girls XI’s to play internally or with haphazardly arranged visiting clubs, the club has made every effort to develop the women’s game at every given opportunity. The 2023 season concluded with a historic moment with two Girls captaining both the A and B team of Dartford Cricket Club at a Junior competition. Such has been the club’s commitment to promoting the Women’s game.
Dartford Cricket Club has set a Mission Statement Directive for the 2024 season; to have at least one, all Women’s/Girl’s team at every age category from U9s Soft ball to U19 Development Leagues. This is the commitment and passion of Dartford Cricket club for the Women’s game.
If any one of any age category, possess a love and passion for this most beautiful sport, that which is cricket and if you are a girl or a lady, feeling inhibited or held back, don’t think twice contact Dartford Cricket Club, we are dedicated to promoting the Women’s game and we shall make every opportunity available; for you to ignite, develop and enhance all your wonderful cricketing skills and passion.
Ladies and Girls, Young and experienced, veterans and toe tippers, we welcome you all to Dartford
Cricket Women’s division, where we play the game inherently better and with a lot more fun.
‘fair’ Plays A Jewel, As You Should Discover, You Cruel Men Who’ve Bowled A ‘maiden’ Over.
Think Of The Debt You Owe Us, Which When Paid Is, Will Raise You From The ‘ashes’ Lords And Ladies; WCA 1929
Cricket is a Gentleman’s sport, and “a true gentleman never leaves his lady” behind, nor shall cricket!
By Lanka Rathnayake – LSR
ECB Level 2 – Coach, ECB Level – 2 Umpire and Cricket Enthusiast https://www.dartfordcc.co.uk
1 Courtesy – https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/women-s-cricket- evolution#:~:text=In%201963%2C%20England%20captain%20Len,on%20to%20win%20the%20match)