England and Australia are two of only four nations currently playing Women's Test cricket
Is domestic red-ball cricket the sensible next step for the women’s game?
Multi-day cricket, predominantly played with a red ball and sometimes with a pink one, inevitably demands a distinct skill set compared to shorter formats of the game. The red ball offers greater swing potential, allowing bowlers to achieve more movement in the air. Unlike the white ball, which cannot be polished and quickly deteriorates, the red ball can be maintained. Multi-day cricket necessitates sustaining skill execution over a significantly extended period, increasing the importance of fitness, concentration, and discipline. It occurs regularly during the men’s domestic summer, with all 18 men’s counties taking part in the County Championship divisions. However, for a female professional cricketer, unless engaged in international matches, the opportunity to handle any ball other than the white one is quite rare. As an opening bowler who primarily relies on swinging the ball and maintaining consistency, I often feel that the longest format of cricket may be the one that suits me best. The prospect of playing red-ball cricket is appealing not only to me but also to many of my teammates. With no multi-day cricket existing within the women’s domestic arena, the sole avenue to engage in this format is by taking part in Test cricket for England. Proving one’s capability and subsequently getting chosen for Test cricket is especially challenging when there is virtually no red-ball cricket available for women. Although Test cricket remains limited on the women’s international calendar, England has managed to play at least one Test match each year in recent times. Assembling an international team in a format that has no corresponding domestic play appears not only challenging but also illogical.
Published: 2025-12-22 10:06:00
source: www.bbc.com
