Cricket tragic
@mrssmall.bsky.social
All things women’s cricket
This is where I agree with @womenscricblog.bsky.social: I think there should be fewer full central contracts and more top-up contracts for those who have potential to play in either the short or medium term. That would give the selectors more encouragement to be flexible & innovative
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 AM
This is where I agree with @womenscricblog.bsky.social: I think there should be fewer full central contracts and more top-up contracts for those who have potential to play in either the short or medium term. That would give the selectors more encouragement to be flexible & innovative
That’s the bit I don’t get: why does anyone think Gaur will be a better England player in 2026 than Arlott? I get that she has potential but surely that’s what Skills contracts are for…
December 4, 2025 at 7:05 AM
That’s the bit I don’t get: why does anyone think Gaur will be a better England player in 2026 than Arlott? I get that she has potential but surely that’s what Skills contracts are for…
I still think Gaur ahead of Arlott on a full contract rather than a “skills” one is odd. And why aren’t there more batting (Perrin, Scrivens, etc.) or any keeping (Southby) skills contracts?
December 3, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I still think Gaur ahead of Arlott on a full contract rather than a “skills” one is odd. And why aren’t there more batting (Perrin, Scrivens, etc.) or any keeping (Southby) skills contracts?
So different players get opportunities in different tournaments and their breaks at different times. Not every tournament can be one of the “big 3” so there needs to be a variety of next level tournaments to spread the money & experience around
December 2, 2025 at 8:19 AM
So different players get opportunities in different tournaments and their breaks at different times. Not every tournament can be one of the “big 3” so there needs to be a variety of next level tournaments to spread the money & experience around
Not every tournament can have just the few top players. There are only 5 English players in the WPL, half a dozen missing from the WBBL and probably almost no Indians in the Hundred. There are lots of very decent “2nd tier” internationals who won’t have a gig in any of them
December 2, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Not every tournament can have just the few top players. There are only 5 English players in the WPL, half a dozen missing from the WBBL and probably almost no Indians in the Hundred. There are lots of very decent “2nd tier” internationals who won’t have a gig in any of them
This is the dilemma between “sportswashing” and being part of a growing liberalisation of women’s sports in Saudi Arabia. Should their recent “journey” be encouraged? Or berated for not being fast enough? Or even boycotted for non-sports-related reasons?
December 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
This is the dilemma between “sportswashing” and being part of a growing liberalisation of women’s sports in Saudi Arabia. Should their recent “journey” be encouraged? Or berated for not being fast enough? Or even boycotted for non-sports-related reasons?
Just a shame for Strikers that it took her 6 games to get going
November 30, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Just a shame for Strikers that it took her 6 games to get going
However, as you say, the venue is potentially contentious. But I can’t see the Saudis wanting to showcase their more conservative views by making any moves against the many gay players. And investing in this tournament is definitely indicative of the huge shift in female sport in the country
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
However, as you say, the venue is potentially contentious. But I can’t see the Saudis wanting to showcase their more conservative views by making any moves against the many gay players. And investing in this tournament is definitely indicative of the huge shift in female sport in the country
The Fairbreak organisers have previously done a fantastic job giving associate players the opportunity to mix with top players. Assuming this tournament is an ICC-adopted & better funded version of the same thing then it should a wonderful event
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The Fairbreak organisers have previously done a fantastic job giving associate players the opportunity to mix with top players. Assuming this tournament is an ICC-adopted & better funded version of the same thing then it should a wonderful event
Very similar unfairness to the 1991 valuations on which council tax has been based ever since, irrespective of changes in local house prices, extensions built, etc.
November 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Very similar unfairness to the 1991 valuations on which council tax has been based ever since, irrespective of changes in local house prices, extensions built, etc.
I’d say it’s more about loss of audience for the Blast games than loss of inspiration for the players. 13 year olds (like Capsey was) won’t be playing Blast and if 16 year olds are already playing County cricket (as Bell was) then I don’t think missing a World Cup Final will hold them back
November 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I’d say it’s more about loss of audience for the Blast games than loss of inspiration for the players. 13 year olds (like Capsey was) won’t be playing Blast and if 16 year olds are already playing County cricket (as Bell was) then I don’t think missing a World Cup Final will hold them back
One of his other admirable qualities being that he’s a thoroughly decent bloke (for an Aussie! 😜) who is fantastically supportive of his wife. I can’t wait to watch the kids in ~20 years time!!
November 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
One of his other admirable qualities being that he’s a thoroughly decent bloke (for an Aussie! 😜) who is fantastically supportive of his wife. I can’t wait to watch the kids in ~20 years time!!
“the overseas players have generally failed to make much of an impression (with the exception of Wolvaardt)”. I didn’t realise DWH was now a domestic Australian player!
November 17, 2025 at 8:25 AM
“the overseas players have generally failed to make much of an impression (with the exception of Wolvaardt)”. I didn’t realise DWH was now a domestic Australian player!
My guess is Deepti was demanding too much & UPW think they can right-to-match for less than it would cost to retain her directly
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
My guess is Deepti was demanding too much & UPW think they can right-to-match for less than it would cost to retain her directly
Depends if they want a rest from England after already being here from May to July for the tri-series, World Cup, & Lords Test…
November 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Depends if they want a rest from England after already being here from May to July for the tri-series, World Cup, & Lords Test…
I do hope it’s as successful as that. We might stand a chance of winning a World Cup if it is! 😜
November 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I do hope it’s as successful as that. We might stand a chance of winning a World Cup if it is! 😜
I’d love to see more of the top Indians playing in the 100 so let’s hope the new owners have more influence over the BCCI than the ECB! But I certainly wouldn’t want to see more Aussies in the 100 than there are English in the current WBBL (~12 if my maths is correct)
November 3, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I’d love to see more of the top Indians playing in the 100 so let’s hope the new owners have more influence over the BCCI than the ECB! But I certainly wouldn’t want to see more Aussies in the 100 than there are English in the current WBBL (~12 if my maths is correct)
In the short term the former is most definitely a benefit to England. But will the latter harm England’s long term development? Personally I think with Lottie having a say, the latter is less of a risk than it would be under a short-term coach trying to save their (his!) own skin
November 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
In the short term the former is most definitely a benefit to England. But will the latter harm England’s long term development? Personally I think with Lottie having a say, the latter is less of a risk than it would be under a short-term coach trying to save their (his!) own skin
It depends on whether you consider 1 more overseas player as strengthening the competition (i.e. improving the skills of those who do play) or reducing the opportunity for the 2nd tier of domestic players (1st tier being the top uncontracted players who will play regardless of 3/4 overseas)
November 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
It depends on whether you consider 1 more overseas player as strengthening the competition (i.e. improving the skills of those who do play) or reducing the opportunity for the 2nd tier of domestic players (1st tier being the top uncontracted players who will play regardless of 3/4 overseas)
Given that she will be nearly 40 at the next edition of this tournament, that’s hardly a controversial statement!
November 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Given that she will be nearly 40 at the next edition of this tournament, that’s hardly a controversial statement!
Although it’s clear from recent squads that neither the men’s or women’s selectors are limited to picking only England contracted players (Linsey Smith & Em Arlott being the most obvious examples)
November 1, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Although it’s clear from recent squads that neither the men’s or women’s selectors are limited to picking only England contracted players (Linsey Smith & Em Arlott being the most obvious examples)
Interesting idea… what more do you know about players after a winter’s training than you knew about them at the end of long domestic season? The only ones you might know more about are the England players who’ve been on tour but you’ve nothing to compare them with
November 1, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Interesting idea… what more do you know about players after a winter’s training than you knew about them at the end of long domestic season? The only ones you might know more about are the England players who’ve been on tour but you’ve nothing to compare them with
I’m not sure I’m quite so keen for Delhi Capitals to be responsible for the contracts of some of our most talented players as you are. The club vs country tension in football isn’t something I’d like to see creeping into cricket, especially if franchises pay vastly more than England match fees
November 1, 2025 at 7:34 AM
I’m not sure I’m quite so keen for Delhi Capitals to be responsible for the contracts of some of our most talented players as you are. The club vs country tension in football isn’t something I’d like to see creeping into cricket, especially if franchises pay vastly more than England match fees
True, but you know more about where women’s cricket has come from than most! 😁
October 31, 2025 at 10:27 AM
True, but you know more about where women’s cricket has come from than most! 😁
Would fans & media accept not reaching the semifinal with a young team that has potential but underperformed? I very much doubt it. At least 7 teams don’t win at every WC so it’s not a binary win/lose difference unless we are arrogant enough to believe we should reach every final
October 31, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Would fans & media accept not reaching the semifinal with a young team that has potential but underperformed? I very much doubt it. At least 7 teams don’t win at every WC so it’s not a binary win/lose difference unless we are arrogant enough to believe we should reach every final