Indian women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur has called for cricket’s bosses to organise ‘many more’ Tests for women’s cricketers ahead of the special one-off game against England at Lord’s. She said the sport
was in the ‘right hands’ and it was now on them to make a call on the situation.
This would be the seventh Test Harmanpreet’s team would play in the 2020s. In comparison, the Indian men’s team has featured in 58 Tests. The scenario is complicated because the rapid growth of women’s cricket coincides with a steady decline in interest in the longest format overall.
But cricketers can’t be blamed for feeling they deserve more opportunities to play a format which was called the ‘greatest’ when they were kids.
“As a cricketer, we definitely want to be part of many Test matches. But I think that’s totally the higher authorities’ call,” Harmanpreet said on the eve of the Lord’s Test, as quoted by Cricbuzz. “Till now, I have seen all the highs and lows, and I have seen women’s cricket growing all these years. I think we are in the right hands, and they’re the right ones to take the call.”
While women’s exposure to white-ball cricket is also limited, it’s much healthier than the red-ball format. And because Test series consume huge windows, women’s cricketers often have huge off-seasons.
“But if you ask me as a player, I definitely want to play lots of cricket and don’t want to sit at home doing nothing. We are enjoying our time, we are quite busy, and in between, we are getting opportunities. Last March, we also played one Test, and now tomorrow we’re going to get one more Test. I think things are going the right way and hopefully, in future, we’ll see many more Test matches coming up,” Harmanpreet added.
Harmanpreet noted that there has been a huge push for white-ball cricket on the domestic circle, saying it deprives players of necessary practice for when the Tests do come.
‘Took us years to feel women can be part of a Lord’s Test’
Harmanpreet also spoke about playing a historic first match at Lord’s, the so-called ‘home of cricket’. While expressing her excitement, she noted how it was at one point unrealistic for women to play at the ground.
“It’s a very big moment for all of us. As a captain and as a player, I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” Harmanpreet said. “As kids, we always dream about playing Test matches and playing at Lord’s is one of those dreams. I’m so happy that we got this opportunity. All the girls are very excited and, as a team, we’re really looking forward to it.”
“We were discussing that after so many years, this match is finally happening. It took us so many years to feel that women can also be part of a Test match at Lord’s. I wasn’t aware of this, and I was surprised. But I look at it this way – maybe it’s late, but not too late. I’m still playing and still getting this opportunity to be part of this historic day. I’m really looking forward to it.”
