CRICKET

CLV WOMEN

By LIAM DURKIN

 

 

ANYONE who thinks women’s cricket is just girls playing cross-bat or lobbing the ball up to bowl might want to actually go and watch a game.

Women’s cricket has certainly come a long way in the last decade or so.

Back then, hardly anyone played. Now, most Cricket Latrobe Valley clubs are fielding senior women’s teams.

The standard has absolutely picked up as well.

Accuracy: Moe’s Sophie Howard bowled an economical spell of 0/10 in last week’s game against Latrobe. Here, she exemplifies following through to the target, and her left arm is in the best position to generate extra ‘whip’ into the delivery. Her action is similar to that of the great England allrounder Alec Bedser.

Seriously, how good are some of these shots photographed from last week’s game at Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe?

Any fellow cricket lover can appreciate good technique, regardless of gender.

When there is balance, high hands, head still, late contact and the full face of the bat presented, you know you are watching a true artist at work.

Moe’s Emily Nadj certainly played some textbook drives that were very easy on the eye. It was little surprise to see her race to 30 retired off only 16 balls.

Shot of the day: Emily Nadj laces a backfoot cover drive at Ted Summerton Reserve. How often have we seen Steve Smith play this shot with the same high elbow as depicted here?

While men posses the power to clear the rope, it is arguable women cricketers are better at the ‘improv shots’, such as laps, scoops and reverse sweeps.

Being naturally more flexible than men allows them to get lower to the ground in order to execute these delicate dabs.

It is still clear however that much more investment is made to the men’s game. Look at how the bats used by even international women cricketers are covered in cherries. The men, by contrast, are given new bats regularly.

Latrobe Valley local Nicole Faltum, who has played WBBL for more than 10 seasons, still gets the “women’s cricket isn’t that good” line.

Enhance your stance: Moe’s Emily Nadj shows the ideal set up, balanced, eyes level and front shoulder pointing back down the pitch. Photographs: Liam Durkin

Her response?

“I would just say to people who say that, look at people like Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, watch the way they hit the ball.”

“The more we do it, the more training we get and the more it professionalises from here, the better the standard is going to get.”

Faltum played local A Grade cricket for Trafalgar before making waves with Victoria and the two Melbourne BBL franchises.

Stacey Rockliff (now with Heyfield) took A Grade wickets playing for Latrobe.

Australian cricketer Zoe Goss famously bowled Brian Lara in a match at the SCG in 1994.