Young India batswoman Jemimah Rodrigues and New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine feel women’s cricket need innovations to boost its popularity.
Speaking during a one-hour 100% Innovations session moderated by former Australia cricketer and leading commentator Mel Jones, both Rodrigues and Devine were invited to discuss the need for innovations in women’s cricket.
Shorter pitches, smaller balls and super-subs (substitutes) were among the topics discussed by the duo during the session.
Sophie Devine open to experimenting
Speaking during the session, New Zealand’s highest run-scorer at this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Sophie Devine explained that sticking with the traditional rules could see the game miss out on new players and kids, while innovations might encourage them to take up the sport.
“I think if we are stuck with traditional formats, we’d be missing out on a lot of new players, new kids to the game. So, I think it’s really an exciting idea to say that we might be able to encourage people along that make it tailored towards the female side of things.
“It’s always good to have a little trial and error and see what works. I’m probably a big fan of looking at a smaller ball, but keeping the pitch the same size, where I think pacers are going to be able to bowl quicker, spinners are going be able to turn the ball more.”
Jemimah Rodrigues seconds Devine’s opinion
Jemimah Rodrigues, who represented India at this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, echoed Sophie Devine and insisted that new innovations should be tried out to take women’s cricket to the next level.
“Yeah, I mean, we can also be open to (a shorter pitch), try it out. If that is going to help the game improve and take it to the next level, then why not?”
Jemimah Rodrigues further emphasized the need for innovations to make women’s cricket more attractive.
“We want to get more people to watch the game and more people to even join the game. So, yeah, I think it is a good idea. I think, you know, you can be open to it.”