tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post5951015952719748693..comments2023-06-01T15:03:21.635+01:00Comments on Women's Cricket Blog: Time to extend the Womens' County Championship?Martin Davieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15850707584058402446noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-45994667734746329032013-03-12T12:53:49.099+00:002013-03-12T12:53:49.099+00:00You mention the reliance on international at count...You mention the reliance on international at county level, the same applies in the 1XIs of the women's game and their reliance on County players. When there are county games (& Super 4s etc) the club teams are decimated. At all levels the number and scheduling of games is restrictive. That is why the better players at all levels have to go looking for more cricket (in the mens game usually).<br /><br />Just a suggestion, how about a two day game (Sat & Sunday) with 4 innings at County level? Could that not help with the longer form of the game?hainbanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-80390049506170743652013-03-05T11:51:38.518+00:002013-03-05T11:51:38.518+00:00Can you include Uganda/Kenya in your next analysis...Can you include Uganda/Kenya in your next analysis? I've posted lots of stuff about these two East African cricketing nations on www.womenscricket.net. Have a look and see, women's cricket is on the up and up in Africa! Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-10805289476558379612013-03-04T13:59:45.133+00:002013-03-04T13:59:45.133+00:00I'm relatively new to supporting the Womens fo...I'm relatively new to supporting the Womens form of cricket, but reading your initial post Martin, I can't believe the county format. Its pretty pathetic in all fairness, because, as you said, its the peek of the womens game (without internationals). The only way the county women of England are going to become any better or gain the respect they deserve, is if they play in a league that enables them to. Playing each other just once is ridiculous, Ive played most sports in different leagues (no matter what standard) and it ALWAYS consists of playing home and away. <br /><br />In my opinion, the ECB need to invest more into the game. As you said Martin in an earlier comment, I also don't think the womens game is ready for a 4 day county championship. But to make the County championship a "proper" league wouldnt take a great deal of effort from the ECB. Im sure theyre are plenty of people that would happily; umpire, score and prepare pitches for them.<br /><br />Another thing that would boost the womens county awareness and profile, would be to introduce T20 double headers with the mens games (where applicable). I know its a long shot and would very difficult to fit them in with work and education for the women, but surely the more cricket the better. They did this last year with a couple of the International games, where the women played before the men did. This would surely have an impact because you'd have people going into the grounds earlier to watch it and would appreciate that the womens game is still played to very good standard.Scott Rollingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-3858279758680535062013-03-03T18:50:36.538+00:002013-03-03T18:50:36.538+00:00Don't forget that, unlike the men's compet...Don't forget that, unlike the men's competition, the women mostly have to fit all their matches around full-time (non-cricketing) jobs or full-time education. Whilst I'd love to see more cricket, playing 16 county matches over the season would mean that county players got little or no club cricket. Now, that might not matter in many people's view, but taking all the best players out would have a seriously weakening effect just when the club system is beginning to improve. Not sure what the solution is - we're some way off a professional women's cricket set-up!Estegonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-45005783646393014062013-03-01T07:29:08.051+00:002013-03-01T07:29:08.051+00:00I don't think the women's game is ready fo...I don't think the women's game is ready for a 4 day county championship. It would be good for us cricket puritans, but it just could not pay its way. For the time-being 50 over cricket is the way forward, preferably played at county grounds - more cricket for the members to watch!Martin Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15850707584058402446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-62018086128801234232013-03-01T01:28:22.021+00:002013-03-01T01:28:22.021+00:00Sorry, but you are talking about 50 over games rig...Sorry, but you are talking about 50 over games right? Wouldn't the money be just as well invested in the creation of a First Class competition? awbraaehttp://linesongrass.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-71386143590781516222013-02-28T10:06:41.573+00:002013-02-28T10:06:41.573+00:00I think county championship needs more investment....I think county championship needs more investment. You are talking about T20 comp which is a different kettle of fish. I'd like to see more T20s played as in Aus on day before and/or after county champ games throughout season. <br /><br />As for extending S4s it would be great to try and get all the best in the world here for a week say and play T20 and 50 over tournament between 4 great sides - SKY are you reading this??Martin Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15850707584058402446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896684740062197881.post-55225650780379688162013-02-27T18:48:13.483+00:002013-02-27T18:48:13.483+00:00I'd go the other way... personally! As you say...I'd go the other way... personally! As you say, more competitive cricket is needed; but the county games are about as competitive as Scottish football. (I was at the T20 finals day last year, and honestly Sussex could have won it with their laces tied together. SJT didn't even get to bat in the final, if I recall correctly.) <br /><br />I'd extend the S4s, and make them into genuine "franchises" - teams that supporters can follow and build loyalty to - like an IPL for women's cricket. How cool would that be? <br /><br />(I know you personally have county loyalties, MD - and I love my traditions as much as the next man, but w's cricket doesn't have to be hung-up on the history of the men's game; and honestly, if we were designing the men's game anew, would we even DREAM of starting with counties?)Sydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14792368170002037565noreply@blogger.com