Glad you had the courage to put your head above the parapet and say what many of us think. I am delighted that more and more ladies are finding the enjoyment of sport participation but that is what it is - participation sport not a spectator sport. Led by the British media there seems to be a campaign in England to give it far more coverage than it deserves whereas on mainland Europe it remains largely ignored and treated for what it is - participation sport
That's me and you then Bure. Dipped in and out of it throughout my afternoon/evening. SA's lowest ever test score. Good to see other bowlers coming to the fore and not relying totally on Ecclestone.
I must admit I do like Ladies cricket. The skill level is pretty high. One of the best wicketkeepers I ever saw was Sarah Taylor. Also in 2015 she became the first woman to play men's grade cricket in Australia, when she appeared as wicketkeeper for Northern Districts against Port Adelaide at Salisbury Oval in South Australia's premier men's competition.
One of these situations where we have to agree to disagree Bure especially as you watch more of it than I do. I saw the highlights on BBC news of the match yesterday. One player was bowled between bat and pad on a forward defensive stroke. It can happen in the male game but the gap left in this incident was laughable. In the few periods I have watched of Football I have yet to see a decent tackle or header and would expect that about 75% of the goals would have been saved or prevented by an academy U16 male team. I watched a few holes of a professional ladies golf tournament last week. One hole was a 390 yard Par 5 - no dog leg just a gentle fade. I have played golf very badly over 60 years with a current handicap of 16 having never got down to single figures. I would be ashamed if I couldn't get a par 5 on 390 yard par 5 hole and a male Professional would expect to get an eagle. Most of them would nearly drive the green. Skill level high - I have to disagree.
I never said that they can compete with men, but it's ladies against ladies. Most sports are physically demanding, so the male is going to have an advantage. I view it as what it is, and enjoy not only cricket, but football, rugby, athletics etc. It's great to see females competing, and I was pleased when SPOTY last night proved me right.
If you watch ladies sport expecting them to be on a par with male equivalents it will only happen very occasionally (darts). I watch for the skill set of female sports ladys, and mostly I enjoy what I am watching. The Red Roses Rugby Union team are exceptional, but to compare them to the male equivalent is ludicrous. But, as usual, each to his own. Or her own!!!!!!
I never said that females could compete with men in most sports involving physical aspects - although snooker or darts - whats happened there? I also quite clearly stated that I was delighted that more and more females and youngsters were now participating in sport but where we disagree is on what the spectators want to see and what I specifically want to watch. Glad that amateur and non league football are surviving but do I watch it - no. Why? Because it is not up to the standard of the professional game freely available to watch. Same point applies to other sports that I watch such as cricket and golf. On the subject of golf, I still don't understand why a lady professional is allowed 3 shots to get to a green 390 yards away when a 80yo pensioner can get there with a driver and a mid iron. I did have to look up the SPOTY you referred to and have to genuinely admit that I have never heard of the ladies who finished first and second.
Interesting fact: Hodgkinson’s success makes it an unprecedented four years in a row that the award has been won by a woman, following Mary Earps in 2023, Beth Mead in 2022 and Emma Raducanu in 2021.
I don't watch darts but what tournament has a lady won or nearly won? I do watch some snooker but have never seen a lady in any tournament I have watched. It is just me and the way I am - not just sport. I go to and listen to many concerts but have never watched a talent competition. As you say - each to their own. There is so much freely available now so that people can pick and choose.
Even worse confession Bure - I have never heard of three of them or know what sport they participate in. I have heard of Emma and know she plays tennis which is a sport I rarely watch.
India v England T20, live on Fawanews. Lost a wicket in 1st over, not a good start. Buttler looking good.
Not going good in women's (ashes already lost) or mens. India at about 10 an over only needing 133 and just two down.
