Three Cheers To 2016… Here’s To 2017

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Three Cheers To 2016… 

… For giving us the first Kia Super League. This time last year, we didn’t even know who the hosts were going to be. This time last year, with each of the teams starting out from scratch, it could easily have been a flop. It wasn’t.

… For giving us Tammy Beaumont Mark Two. Whatever Mark Robinson said to her, it worked. Back in January her England career looked dead in the water; now she’s being named in ESPNCricinfo’s Women’s Team of the Year and the future looks bright. Incredible, really.

… For giving us a new captain of England who already looks a natural in the role. When her appointment was announced in June, we wondered: was she ready? How would she handle the difficult few months ahead, with the media ready to pounce should England fail to shine against Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka? Three series wins later, and, well, you do the maths.

… For giving us Alex Hartley in an England shirt. ‘Nuff said.

Here’s To 2017… 

… The year of KSL 02 – hopefully even bigger and better than before, especially now we know that Finals Day will be broadcast live on Sky.

… The year of the biggest world tournament women’s cricket has ever seen. Bring on the final at Lord’s on 23 July!

… The year when we find out just how far Mark Robinson’s team are capable of going towards winning a world title at home. Fingers (and toes!) crossed…

6 thoughts on “Three Cheers To 2016… Here’s To 2017”

  1. Thanks for reminding us that this year did contain something good…in fact, quite a bit! It’s easy to forget that with so many people constantly moaning about how bad a year it’s been, for other reasons.

    Beaumont has had a great year for England but not so special otherwise – after an OK-ish KSL she’s been very disappointing so far in WBBL02 and looks out of nick at the moment. Knight and Hartley though have hardly put a foot wrong and must be hoping that they can follow up with another similar year…

    2017 is bound to be exciting. Good to know that the KSL finals day will be broadcast on Sky, although they’ve lost so much other cricket coverage that plenty of people aren’t happy with them.

    England are capable of winning the WC, I think, but it depends on so many different factors how likely that will be, and all will become clearer as we approach May-June. The WC will be wonderful, I’m sure – even if England don’t get through to the later stages we’re bound to see some classic matches.

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  2. One thing I’ve really appreciated in 2016 is the quality – and increasing quantity – of coverage of women’s cricket. Crickether and the Women’s Cricket Blog are setting the pace, but in Australia there are some excellent podcasts, including WBBL Pitch Perfect (Mel Jones and Bobby Macumber) and the Ladies Who League “summer edition” Ladies Who Legspin – I’m just about to listen to their latest podcast, featuring Maisy Gibson of NSW and the Sydney Thunder.

    New Zealand sports media coverage of women’s cricket remains very poor, and Cricket Australia is streets ahead of New Zealand Cricket in promoting women’s cricket.

    But it’s not all bleak – while eating breakfast, I was listening to a Radio New Zealand (BBC equivalent) feature about the pressures on teenage sportspeople that prominently included 16-y-o Wellington legspinner Amelia Kerr, who’s recently made her debut with the White Ferns. With the White Ferns in desperate need of wicket-taking bowlers, her debut is another 2016 highlight for me.

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  3. It’s been a fascinating year with so much happening no one could have predicted. Don’t forget the outstanding performances of Nat Sciver and the emergence of Lauren Winfield and who would have thought England could put out teams with so many senior players missing and still win.
    I’m not sure they can win the WC but they are growing a new team which is exciting to watch.
    When we talk about coverage of the women’s game, how brilliant was it to see the documentary on Sky and what an insight we got into some of the things that happen on tours.
    Here’s to 2017, I’m sure it’s going to be exciting one.

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  4. Hey, very nice site. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
    Kota Chambal Tigers

    Keep Posting:)

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  5. Thank you for your continued support of the women’s game. Indeed 2016 was a watershed year fir the women’s game in England and the players are getting excellent experience in WBBL 02. …hopefully they are learning the strengths and weaknesses of the Aussie players who look in fine nick.
    It is very fortuitous indeed that the WC is happening this year as I do see s few darkish clouds ahead. First I am not convinced if the success of the KIA WSL. ..talking to people from various venues it was clear that the paying public attendance was quite low once call the complimentary tickets have been taken into account…second how long will counties support the game if they can’t make a return? Given the men’s game is under severe pressure the E CB needs to think I’d sustainable funding without relying on the men’s game largesse
    Third the game may have improved markedly at the top level but grass roots cricket for girls is poor. Some areas have seen an increase in activity but in most places it is dwindling…poor coaching (and worse coaches who don’t know how to coach girls), poor facilities (how many clubs have a female changing room) no formal league structure with adequate participation. ..The list goes on….
    Your magazine has rightly highlighted these issues but what is needed is a sustained and coordinated solution to grass roots cricket if the cream is going to rise to the top. ..fir the moment it is difficult to see past Australia as winners of the WC this year….their grass roots and support by the general public of female sports is simply much greater and better than it ishere

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    • I agree on the coaching as a parent of female cricketer (x2) I like to think I’ve adopted a different approach to my coaching of girls.

      The availability of female coaches is still limited but just dropping in a male coach is not always the best solution.

      The ECB needs to adopt a firmer stance on counties but as a business entity the counties are not compelled to prioritise equality when the men’s game struggles to remain relevant.

      Looking forward to advancements in 2017

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