Nabil Amarshi reports from Vancouver
Arriving twenty minutes before match start, the cavernous arena, built in oval fashion for football (both versions), had many more camera operators than fans in witness. Even so, the pregame build up familiar in franchise broadcasts was soon underway with the great Sana Mir carrying out the Mel Jones Trophy. It was named appropriately in Canadian fashion after Jones for her humanitarian efforts in helping keep the Afghan Women’s National Team players safe and providing playing opportunities for them.
Looking over at the empty dugout, I am bewildered at who will be filling those seats shortly. Here. In Vancouver. What a leap from the first edition!
Briefly, last year’s tournament was a fine effort. Rosters were filled with inexperienced domestic players and the two sides were led by Deandra Dottin and Amanda-Jade Wellington. While it was a memorable thrill to sit with my 8 year old daughter and hear the crack of a pure hit from the World Boss, and see stumps crumble from mesmerizing spin by the Wicket Queen of Aus IRL, the bowling star of the recent One Day Cup put it best on the Wisden pod when she described the competition as “rogue”. It was also a proof-of-concept showcase for what could be.
And become it has: the increase in pedigree talent this year is substantial. Capped internationals Fatima Sana, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon and Mady Villiers bring a new level of in-form top performers to the fold. The likes of Laura Harris, Sterre Kalis and Grace Scrivens along with a coach-load of English domestic standouts Sophia Smale, Davina Perrin, Kira Chathli, Grace Ballinger, Bess Heath, Ella McCaughan, Alexa Stonehouse and Alice Monaghan bring huge credibility to proceedings.
Coupling the aforementioned “wrong sport” pitch dimensions with the ultra-short T10 format, the match itself never really posed the platform to create a memorable competition. Nevertheless, world-class cricket was on full and bright display.
Opening the batting, captain of the Sixers Mady Villiers didn’t find her footing on the artificial wicket and chipped one to mid-off for a second-over dismissal after earning 6 from 5 deliveries. Sterre Kalis then joined opener Bess Heath for a solid partnership, both striking at over 150 until opposing captain Marizanne Kapp decided to form her hair bun and have a bowl. Though containing masterfully, Kapp was not able to dismiss the standout performer Saachi Dhadwal, who played a confident 41 not out off 20 balls, showing fine composure while swatting menacing bouncers from the South African at the death, leading her team to a respectable 106 total.
The second innings saw similarly quick dismissals of the Warriors opening batters. Australian Sophie Reid was bowled by Sophia Smale’s drifter after making only 4 runs from 7, ushering way for captain Kapp to have a bat. In first-class professional fashion, Marizanne, finding a steady partner in Grace Scrivens, snatched the game in 9 overs, striking at over 230 with a rapid 74 not out from 36 balls. Formed with six 4s and six maximums, she surgically utilised the short boundaries to get the job done, to the delight of the gathering crowd.
In the end it was a memorable match and a pioneering day for women’s cricket in Canada.
