The Future of Women’s Cricket in St Andrews
The Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, held this past June, has brought recent publicity to the growing sport. With England hosting this year’s tournament, breaking multiple attendance records, the sport is welcoming the new influx of attention across the country. England’s successful run to the final match helped bolster national pride in the women’s team, before ultimately losing to Australia, who won by 7 wickets in the final on the 4th of July.
What does this mean for women’s cricket in St Andrews? There is a definite increase in attention from people new to the sport as well as a renewed interest from those who had played previously but stopped for various reasons.
My personal hope is that more clubs in Scotland create teams for girls at youth levels and encourage girls to continue in the sport. Many local clubs lack the resources to have both girl’s and boy’s teams. This is a reason why many women quit the sport at a young age, me included. It is not helpful for growth of the women’s sport if girls are being driven out of youth clubs due to the lack of space, training and consideration for them.
I also hope that university level cricket for women can expand. Currently St Andrews is one of two women’s teams in Scotland that play outdoor cricket in BUCS leagues, the other being Edinburgh. It is difficult for most universities to get the 11 players needed to play an outdoor cricket game.
Indoor leagues are more popular at Scottish universities, like in Stirling and Aberdeen. The Scottish weather makes it difficult to play outdoors, even in the summer months. The cricket season creates another issue in finding players, as most matches are either played at the beginning of the academic year, or during exam season in May. Despite these difficulties, enthusiasm for women’s cricket is only growing in St Andrews. Maybe one day we will have enough interest two have two teams on the go, like our rivals down in Edinburgh.
Speaking of Edinburgh, I’m sure readers will be pleased to know the Puffins beat Edinburgh in our varsity match on the 20th of September. Bowling first, the Puffins had a stellar start with a few quick wickets, keeping Edinburgh’s score to 110 for 9 wickets after 20 overs. The Puffins then batted valiantly, taking it to a nerve-wracking final over, where the total was chased down in a brilliant win for the girls. To quote the Edinburgh University commentator so gracefully provided, they were “pecked by the puffins!”
Spirits are currently high in the University of St Andrews Women’s Cricket Club, as new talent and excitement has joined the team. I think I speak for the whole team when I say increased awareness and support around campus would go a long way in helping the club.
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