Mary’s Wonder Women: Merry cricketmas from women in cricket

Published on: December 22, 2017December 22, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This story was first written and published for The Roar.

One question I have been asked repeatedly over the last two weeks has been, ‘Mary, how do you feel about rugby league finally following the AFL and getting a women’s competition of its own’.

I always chuckle to myself when I get asked this question and respond in the same way.

The launch of AFLW was a moment in time in the history of Australian sport, but if we are talking about other sports following each other in the development and establishment of professional women’s competitions, then surely cricket came first with the WBBL.

Women’s sport weekly wrap: WBBL03 Preview

Published on: December 8, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This story was first written for and published by The Roar.

For lovers of cricket it’s very lucky that the completion of the Women’s Ashes was just the start of a long summer of cricket ahead.

The third instalment of the Women’s Big Bash League starts this Saturday with four games to be played in a festival of cricket at North Sydney Oval.

On Saturday at 1:45pm the Melbourne Renegades will take on the Sydney Thunder followed by the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars at 6:15pm. On Sunday at 10:45am the Perth Scorchers will take on the Brisbane Heat, and then at 2pm the Sydney Sixers will play the Sydney Thunder.

Women’s sport weekly wrap: When too much sport is never enough

Published on: November 24, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

On Wednesday, as I watched the Australian Jillaroos smash the Canada Ravens, I realised I was exhausted.

Between the Women’s Rugby League World Cup, the women’s Ashes, the Matildas in the midst of a two-game friendly series against China, the W-League and the WNBL, I’m struggling to keep up with it all.

Aussie fielding a shambles as women’s Ashes ends in 8-8 draw

Published on: November 23, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

In an unbelievable performance, England has defeated Australia by four wickets in the final T20 in Manuka, levelling the women’s Ashes series 8-8.

The Southern Stars retain the Ashes, as they won the last series, but this will be little consolation for an Australian team that was looking to win outright.

The Gunn show: England bounce back in the second T20

Published on: November 20, 2017November 20, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

Coming into the Women’s Ashes this year, England and Australia were ranked one and two in the world.

It comes as no surprise then that this really has been a very tightly contested Ashes series, with England bouncing back yesterday to win the second T20 in Manuka by 40 runs.

This means heading into the final T20 on Tuesday evening, Australia lead the series 8-6.

Australia retain the Ashes with a T20 win

Published on: November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This piece was first written for and published for the Roar.

Last night the Women’s Ashes continued, with the first of three T20s being played at North Sydney Oval in front of a crowd well in excess of 5,000.

This T20 saw the Australian team defeat the English team by six wickets and in doing so, the Aussies have retained the Ashes.

For the Australians there were a couple of stand out players. Megan Schutt had a career-best evening, ending up with figures of 4-22. This performance was key as part of Australia’s bowling attack which restricted the English team to 9-132.

Women’s sport weekly wrap: Jillaroos crush Cook Islands

Published on: November 17, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This story was first written for and published by The Roar.

The Women’s Rugby League World Cup has finally arrived, with the first three matches taking place yesterday.

With teams from Australia, Canada, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and England competing, there is representation from all over the rugby league-playing world.

We all know the significance of this World Cup – it is the first time the men and women’s tournaments have been played concurrently and the first time the Women’s Rugby League World Cup has been broadcast in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Historic day-night Ashes Test ends in draw, but there was no shortage of highlights

Published on: November 13, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

After four days of cricket at the picturesque North Sydney Oval, the Test between the Australian Women’s Cricket Team and the England Women’s Team ended in a draw.

By day four, Australia had a 128-run lead and hoped to get the ten English wickets on the final day to claim the win. Unfortunately it was not to be.

Despite the result, it was a weekend of many firsts. The first time that the Australian Women’s Cricket Team had had the opportunity to play a day-night Test. The first time the Australian Women’s Cricket Team had been able to contribute on the field to the incredible work that the McGrath Foundation does.

And five women made their Test debuts, including three Australians – Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney, who all received their first baggy greens.

Women’s sport weekly wrap: Get your bum on a seat

Published on: November 9, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

Are you a sports fan? Are you a supporter of women in sport? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then I want you to prove it.

I read plenty of articles and social commentary lamenting the fact that women’s sport doesn’t get enough coverage, and that the athletes don’t get paid enough or receive the recognition they deserve.

While these statements are true, do you know what would really change the game?

Bums on seats.

England bounce back: Australia leads the Ashes 4-2

Published on: October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 by Mary Category:Cricket

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

After a comprehensive defeat in the second ODI at Coffs Harbour the English Women’s Cricket Team have bounced back to trail the Australian Women’s Cricket team 4-2 in the Ashes series, with a 20-run win in Coffs Harbour yesterday.

It really was do-or-die for England in this game. With Australia only needing eight points to hold onto the Ashes and England trailing by four points, they could not afford to lose a third match in a row.