It is disheartening to witness disparities in the coverage and promotion of men’s and women’s cricket, with the men’s game receiving more attention and broadcasting on multiple channels while the women’s version is largely left out of sight, playing games in empty stadiums without much exposure. Hopefully, we can work towards achieving more recognition for women’s cricket in the future.
Women’s cricket has been growing in popularity in recent years as more people are becoming aware of the sport. This is due to initiatives such as the ICC Women’s World Cup, which has provided a platform for female cricketers worldwide to showcase their skills and get more recognition. Additionally, many nations are now investing in their women’s cricket teams and providing better facilities for their players.
The times are changing for women’s cricket, and more emphasis is placed on the sport. For example, the ICC Women’s World Cup, the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) are all great initiatives designed to inspire and promote female cricketers from around the world. These tournaments have been very successful in terms of providing a platform for these players to showcase their skills and receive more recognition. As these initiatives continue to grow, we can only expect to see more progress and opportunities for female cricketers.
It’s incredible to see how some of the female cricketers today have honed their skills and are matching the performances of some of the greatest legends in men’s cricket. These five women cricketers, particularly Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Smriti Mandhana, and Shabnim Ismail, have shown remarkable skill in batting, bowling, and fielding, which is reminiscent of those of their counterparts in the men’s game. They are truly setting the bar for future generations of female cricketers.
Women Cricketers who are very similar to their male compatriots
Smriti Mandhana and Sourav Ganguly
According to her childhood coach, Smriti Mandhana used to imitate Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara when she was younger. However, she reminds me of another male player – former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Mandhana has been compared to Ganguly for her aggressive batting style, fearless approach to the game, and remarkable ability to switch gears when the situation demands it. Her power-packed performances have made her one of the world’s most feared batters.
Being right-handed but left-handed batters, both Mandhana and Ganguly are incredibly strong when playing shots on the off side. Similarly to Ganguly, Mandhana will stylishly cut anything short and, with a pinch of width through the gap between point and backward point, poke at the ball that is swinging away, then guide it to the third man to sneak in a single. When the ball is short and delivered right in front of them, both will go for the unconvincing pull that might or might not bring rewards. It should also be noted that they have another similarity – they both require glasses off the pitch.
Both players also tend to play shots right off the middle of their bat, something that’s quite common among left-handed batsmen. What’s more, they both have an excellent work ethic, which helps them become better cricketers with each passing day. Their dedication and determination make them an inspiration to any aspiring cricketer.
Mithali Raj and Sachin Tendulkar
Mithali Raj is often compared to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of her batting prowess. She is known for her ability to read the pitch and adapt her game as per the conditions. She also has a great range of shots and swift footwork and is considered one of the most elegant batswomen in the game. Similar to Tendulkar, she has a wide range of strokes to choose from and relies heavily on placement rather than power. Despite the immense pressure of performing at the highest level, her composure and presence at the crease have earned her a reputation second only to Tendulkar.
Mithali Raj and Sachin Tendulkar have a few similarities in their batting approach. Both employ a patient approach while batting, relying on technique and skill rather than brute power. They both possess an intuitive eye for the game and can adapt quickly to changing conditions. Tendulkar was known for his ability to read the pitch and adjust his batting accordingly, and Mithali Raj is no different. Additionally, they share a passion for the game, a cool head under pressure, and are considered two of the top cricketers of their respective generations.
Mithali Raj has spoken highly of Sachin Tendulkar, calling him an inspiration and praising his technique. She has said that her batting style is heavily influenced by Tendulkar’s and that she looks up to him as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. She also said that she tries to emulate Tendulkar’s approach when it comes to batting, citing his patience and skill as major influences on her batting.
“Sachin Tendulkar has been an inspiration for me – he is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. His technique and patience at the crease is something I have tried to emulate in my batting,” – Mithali Raj.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Yuvraj Singh
Much has been said and written about Harmanpreet Kaur’s dominant performance that enabled India to easily win against Australia in the World Cup semi-final back in 2019. People have even likened her knock to Kapil Dev’s against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. However, according to us, Kaur is more similar to another great Indian player Yuvraj Singh. Both of them have a similar high back-lift, powerful follow-through, and the ability to inflict enormous damage. This similarity is evident in the way they play.
They both take time to become acquainted with the pitch before unleashing their power, and they tend to prefer the midwicket region. Neither of them has mechanical batting styles – their batting is full of fluidity and grace. Moreover, both Kaur and Singh are renowned for performing well in important matches.
Both players also have an excellent knack for picking the right delivery to hit, something that has made them two of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. They also possess tremendous power and great timing, allowing them to clear boundaries with ease. They have been the difference makers in many matches and will continue to be so in the future.
Their versatility allows them to adapt to different kinds of pitches and bowlers, making them difficult to contain. Both Kaur and Singh are also known for their effervescent style of cricket, which is often a pleasure to watch. Moreover, they possess great leadership qualities and can mentor and inspire their teammates, making them invaluable assets in any team.
Suzie Bates and Brendon McCullum
Suzie Bates is often compared to Brendon McCullum for her batting performance. She is a powerful batter who can vary her strokes according to the conditions, similar to the way McCullum did. Both batters have a reputation for taking calculated risks and looking to score freely. They also share good footwork and can move quickly to position themselves for a shot. Furthermore, both batters are known for their commitment to the team and leading from the front.
In terms of similarities, both Suzie Bates and Brendon McCullum have a knack for attacking the opposition. They are not afraid to go after the bowlers and attack from ball one, something which makes them a threat to the opposition. Additionally, their ability to hit shots all around the wicket is something that has earned them great admiration. Furthermore, both batters are unafraid of playing attacking shots and take calculated risks to score runs quickly.
Suzie Bates has spoken highly of Brendon McCullum, praising him for his creativity and attacking style. She has said, “I take a lot of inspiration from McCullum. I aspire to his ability to think outside the box and find creative solutions to problems on the field. His never say die attitude is something I try and replicate in my own game.”
Suzie Bates has also mentioned that she admires McCullum for his ability to adapt to different conditions and his willingness to take risks when batting. She believes he is an example of how a batsman can succeed even with a relatively unorthodox style.
Marizanne Kapp and Shaun Tait
Marizanne Kapp, the top ODI bowler, is spearheading the most formidable fast-bowling attack in the world when it comes to women’s cricket. Her skillset bears significant similarities with the Australian bowler Shaun Tait, even though Shaun Tait never became the no.1 ranked bowler.
Kapp’s brisk run-up, smooth action, and late outswing all resemble Tait’s fiery bowling. Both of them are known for their speed, and they generally bowl too many extras (wides) as they often drift off the line – something they make up for with their pace. The only real difference between the two is that Kapp is a capable lower-order batter who usually stays fit and plays consistently – something Tait was unable to do.
Furthermore, the South African’s durability and consistency make her the ideal package for a fast bowler, as she can bowl long spells and take wickets over a long period. Kapp also can think on her feet as she reads the batters’ movement and reacts accordingly. This combination of skill and agility makes Kapp one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world.
