“The business of sport is dominated by men.” Clare Connor, director of England women’s cricket at the ECB and the only female member of the ICC’s Cricket Committee, wasn’t spouting feminist opinion when she made this statement, merely a simple truth. The Women’s World Cup is just around the corner and with reports of record ticket sales, the state of the women’s game on the pitch is arguably in a healthier state than ever before. But what of those off it?
Katherine Brunt, England’s passionate opening bowler, never set out play to play cricket.
Not seriously at least. ‘I never saw cricket as a long-term career,’ says Brunt.
Natalie Sciver was just another fan when, along with two and a half million others, she tuned in to watch England beat Germany for the first time in 31 years at the Women’s football World Cup last month.
English cricket is seeking solace after the debacle at Lord’s but while the men were left bruised and battered by Mitchell Johnson, for the women, who begin their Ashes series on Tuesday, the name that strikes fear into the hearts is Meg Lanning.
Walking into the kitchen of the Shrubsole family home on the outskirts of Bath you’re met with all the day-to-day trappings one expects of urban life. A closer look however and it dawns, this is no ordinary household. Tucked away behind the fruit bowl and perched next to the toaster a tall, gleaming, jewel-studded trophy sticks out. The engraving on the base gives the game away: 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Player of the Tournament – Anya Shrubsole.
Charlotte Edwards and Clare Connor talk about captaining England, rooming together, and how they used a 15-year-old to plot the downfall of Australia
Isabelle Westbury 