Lahore attacks overshadow Women's World Cup
| 12:38 UK time, Thursday, 5 March 2009
While England's men head into the final Test against the West Indies knowing they can no longer win the series, their female counterparts are in Sydney, about to begin their quest for the inaugural - and they have a real chance of success.
In fact, the women's World Cup first took place and this is the ninth tournament, but it's the first under the auspices of the International Cricket Council, who took over the running of the game in 2005, following a merger with the International Women's Cricket Council.
As in the UK, however, the newspapers and news channels here in Australia are full of the repercussions of . The attack has had a profound effect on every member of the cricket community, and the world's leading women cricketers are no exception.
The England team had two particular links; daughter Gemma is here in Sydney as the team's analyst, and , the Sri Lanka assistant coach, is a former coach of the England women's team.
The captains of both the Pakistan and Sri Lanka women's sides spoke to the press today as part of planned media activity.
Reporters were keen to ask some simple questions about how they felt about the attack, particularly after hearing how many of the Sri Lanka men's team have worked closely with the women, offering coaching advice.
Unfortunately, we were told by team management not to ask anything relating to the Lahore attack and the players themselves had been told not to comment. However, the message obviously hadn't reached , who hosted a Q&A with the captains as part of the ICC Welcome Ceremony later in the day at .
The first thing he asked in front of a room full of people was how news of the attack had affected them. Both answered thoughtfully and eloquently, making reporters wonder why we had not been allowed to pose a similar question earlier.
of Sri Lanka said they were shocked, and admitted that to begin with, it had made them scared for their own safety here in Sydney. She then went on to say that their thoughts were with all those wounded or killed in the attack.
Pakistan captain - a forthright, likeable character, judging by first impressions - added similar sentiments but stressed the need for their national team to continue playing, whether it be away from home or at neutral venues.
Pakistan's women are at this World Cup for only the second time and it is crucial they continue to play matches against top cricketing nations if they are to continue their development.
West Indies pulled out of a tour only recently on security grounds, and the Lahore attack now means Pakistan's women are going to be even more reliant on overseas trips to find the competition they need.
Tours cost money, but it's something the are going to have to find funds for if their women's team are to appear at future World Cups.
As for the cricket, it all starts on Friday night UK time, with England playing Sri Lanka and Pakistan in action against India from 2300 GMT.
I'll be providing live updates every half an hour on Radio Five Live, with other reports on the World Service, Radio One, Radio 4 and the Asian Network.
The eight countries are split into two groups of four who all play each other once (Group A: Aus, NZ, SA, WI / Group B: Eng, Ind, SL, Pkn). The top three in each group progress to the Super Sixes, from where the top two teams play-off in the final on 22 March at .
The top four nations are defending champions Australia, England, India and New Zealand. However, the gap between the top four and the rest is much narrower than it was four years ago when I covered the last .
The fact that women's cricket is now managed by each country's cricket board means it is run more professionally and there is more financial backing across all teams, evident in the number of backroom staff here who simply didn't exist four years ago.
England, led by , have gone undefeated in their last 14 ODIs and have a great chance of winning here but Australia, in their own back yard, are favourites to lift the Trophy for a sixth time.
Comment number 1.
At 5th Mar 2009, *Syds_Sports wrote:Hi Ali, thanks for this report - will you be Twittering during the WWC?
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Comment number 2.
At 5th Mar 2009, FleetJackHobbs wrote:Any live text?
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Comment number 3.
At 5th Mar 2009, DrCrickfan wrote:Wow! It's great to read your report about women's world cup. Can't wait to read more. Thank you.
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Comment number 4.
At 6th Mar 2009, redbybirth wrote:shame there will be neither live coverage nor highlights for the womens world cup. it could have done with a bit more exposure. may the best team win, australia my team, i hope
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Comment number 5.
At 6th Mar 2009, ayan sinha wrote:Over the last few days it has become clear that the lessons from this dreadful incidence is not going to be heeded either by the PCB or the Pakistani government.
Chris Broad and the rest of the officials have all made valid comments suggesting that the security they were offered was inadequate.
I agree that 5 poilce officers lost their lives, but in the end none of the perpetrators of this act were caught. Where did the rest of the police disappear to? And why did they leave the officials as 'sitting ducks'?
These are the questions that needed to be answered and not statements made in the media by the PCB and former Pakistani cricketers (Javed Miandad, Aamer Sohail) that Chris Broad is lying. It is plain for everyone to see from the video footage that indeed the security was extremely lax and inadequate, and also the officials had been left to fend for themselves. The honesty and the dignity by which the officials have made their statements can only be applauded, however the converse is true of the Pakistani government and the PCB. They are being made to look extremely petty and stupid with their jibes at Chris Broad and it just goes to show that they cannot be trusted on the security issue ever. It is a sheer miracle that the Chris Broad and the umpires actually survived, and this can only be said that it was written for them to stay and alive and tell of their ordeal.
The one thing that has been made clear by the PCB's and the former Pakistani cricketers comments, is that they cannot be trusted with anyones security let alone players or officials .This just confirms my previous point that international cricket should never return to Pakistan while there are people like this in charge. It is wholly dispicable but typical of the whole official Pakistani attitude to these tragic events.
Just on the point of live coverage of the Womens World Cup this is available on Satellite television or freeview.
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Comment number 6.
At 6th Mar 2009, L A Odicean wrote:I think women's cricket should be more widely shown and I love watching it whenever I get the chance (not often because there's so little of it).
But why oh why do women cricketers insist on wearing skirts ? Apart from the fact that in must be tough on the knees when diving around in the field, it looks rather comical to see 4 slips and a gulley from the boundary at third man.
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Comment number 7.
At 6th Mar 2009, AlisonMitchell wrote:Hello - just two points to clarify relating to the comments above.....
Re coverage on the 91Èȱ¬, we are providing live coverage in the form of half hourly updates on Radio Five Live during England matches, plus updates on the World Service. There will also be other reports, features and interviews across Radio 4, Radio 1, the Asian Network, 91Èȱ¬ Local Radio as well as here online.
Re women cricketers wearing skirts... I'm guessing you havent watched international women's cricket in a while! Thankfully the skirts went out a long time ago. The players now wear kit similar to the mens, but in England's case at least, they are tailored to fit a women's body and make for smart, stylish, professional sportswear.
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Comment number 8.
At 6th Mar 2009, FleetJackHobbs wrote:On the skirts issue - v.
On the coverage issue - not much help if you happen to live in a country that has hardly even heard of cricket. - We need up-to-the-minute online coverage to let us know what's going on.
Right now, they're tossing up in Oz. - For me, that coin's going to stay in the air till tomorrow. - Communication Age? - A lo mejor - ¡mañana!
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Comment number 9.
At 7th Mar 2009, yottskry wrote:Got to say I think it's a great shame there'll be no live commentary on the radio (put R4 long wave to use once the WI test is over!) or live text. The 91Èȱ¬ could really be pushing Women's cricket at a time when they're hanging on to precious little decent sport, but they choose not to. Not the first bad call they've made, in general, lately - not broadcasting the Gaza appeal, disqualifying the University Challenge winners...are the beeb out of touch? I think so!
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Comment number 10.
At 8th Mar 2009, L A Odicean wrote:I am delighted to hear that women cricketers no longer wear skirts. The last match I saw was, indeed, several years ago in Barnes, London. Not an international match, however the standard of cricket was quite good, but the short skirts left a lasting impression on me.
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Comment number 11.
At 8th Mar 2009, FleetJackHobbs wrote:Posting on 9 March, not many hours before Sri Lanka & Pakistan take the field in Canberra. Best wishes and good luck to both teams.
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Comment number 12.
At 8th Mar 2009, FleetJackHobbs wrote:Ooops! - 8 March!
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Comment number 13.
At 9th Mar 2009, cliffwilliams wrote:The women have certainly been training hard over last few months at Loughborough, fingers crossed they do well. Cant seem to find any info on upcoming home games? Maybe Im not looking hard enough, Ill keep my eyes open.
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Comment number 14.
At 9th Mar 2009, Roger Shellard wrote:I am an EX Pat Living in CA
I have to say quite bluntly the days of putting sport above politics and political terrorism are over.
Put the Ladies World Cup competion elswhere as Pakistan has proven itself incompent when it comes to security, come on folks get a grip, it is not safe to play international sport in Pakistan anymore just stop there if Pakistani teams want to to be involved in world competitions, thats fine but away venues only please.
I am not saying Pakistani teams should be banned from international competitions at all but sadly no home games as the internal security forces have proved incapable of protecting visiting teams it is as simple as that.
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Comment number 15.
At 11th Mar 2009, FleetJackHobbs wrote:If ever I saw irrelevance, it is here. Please note - we are talking about the Women's World Cup, currently taking place in Australia.
It is true that the Lahore atrocity ocurred as this tournament was getting under way, but that's now past, the (very serious) implications are being considered elsewhere - and this is 91Èȱ¬ cricket.
In this connection, it concerns me to hear that these World Cup matches are not being well-attended. I hear all kinds of gossip about venues, entry prices and lack of public interest, despite extensive local tv coverage.
Why? - Just how many fabulous knocks by a Taylor or a Rolton does it take? Just how much guile has to be exercised by a Colvin or a Sultana? How many flattened stumps by a Poulton or a Sampson?
All those who "keep a wife at home to iron their shirts," please, please wake up! All those who have daughters with ambition, get yourselves down to the turnstyles and support them.
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Comment number 16.
At 11th Mar 2009, Chris wrote:If one is a women athlete or swimmer ones get equal coverage on TV/Radio with that of a male. In most other sports (save perhaps Equestrian) there is sex discrimination pure and simple (in terms of media coverage). It is a biological fact that males are generally faster and stronger than females but does that justify consigning so many female sports to the backwaters. True equality would treat any England team, whether male or female with equal coverage [note this is a bloke blogging].
In cricket we have a massive coverage differential despite the women's team being significantly more successful than the men's.
Women's cricket has moved on massively in the last few years and deserves coverage and support. Its great to see 20-20 being used to exhibit the game with Women's games preceeding the men's.
As far as the Women's World Cup is concerned Sky (bless 'em) are showing some games - for those that can afford Sky (so not me). Shame that Sky Sports News (which is free) thought the England/India game warranted less than 30 seconds of highlights - whilst in the same hour we had to suffer all sorts of total garbage about what this or that Premiership manager thought.
Get on the ICC Women's World Cup website and you can see videos of parts of the world cup matches. 52 clips of the England/India game (although I couldn't quite lip read what Nunny said when Shaggy dropped a catch !).
Thanks to Alison for her coverage. Keep up the good work.
Realistically its Oz, NZ or England for the cup. I think India are really on a downward slid at present (although England's 9 wicket win was extremely impressive).
Bit worried about England's lower order batting (granted they don't get much practice given Shaggy, Squirt, Tails, Lottie and Lyd tend to fire). Bowling is looking good - Isha, Nunny, Holly, Jen, Boggy etc. Just got to keep it all together for a few more matches.
Just wish I was there !
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Comment number 17.
At 11th Mar 2009, FleetJackHobbs wrote:Just wish I was there
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Me too, LahdarBheinn, me too! - If I had the money, I'd be on the next plane.
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