England just want to play
Post categories: International Cricket
| 11:39 UK time, Saturday, 21 March 2009
Excitement is mounting among finalists here in Sydney, and the message from the captains of both and seems to be "enjoy it".
It was a disappointing to see only three journalists (me included) at the official pre-final press conference at . The Australian media seem to have largely forgotten about the tournament . Maybe I'll be proved wrong by the papers on the morning of the final, but certainly the nationals and even most of the locals I flicked through on Saturday carried nothing except one slim column I found quoting Australia captain Karen Rolton on "what went wrong".
Let's hope at least that the public turn out to watch Australia's two biggest rivals go head to head at the . Must be a tough one for them to decide who to support. Poms or Kiwis? The Aussies I've spoken to so far are (begrudgingly) plumping for the Kiwis simply on the grounds that they're southern hemisphere neighbours. Fair enough I suppose.
It's not exactly an event that is widely publicised though. Tickets are very good value, with a family ticket (two adults and two children) for $30. ran an advert on Saturday morning to promote the final, whereby if you cut out the ad you got in completely free, so that might help. Numbers will be everything to make the final feel like the occasion it is.
It's been a hectic day for me previewing the match - providing material for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ local radios, the World Service, Radio 5 Live, Radio One and fielding phone calls to finalise plans for coverage of the match itself.
I've also just got back from a meeting to select the ICC Player of the Tournament and Team of the Tournament. I was on a panel with former , and match referee .
We had an entertaining debate and I could tell you who we picked, but...you know the rest! If you've been following the tournament, maybe you've got your own ideas? I look forward to hearing them.
In the meantime, the England squad went out for a team meal on Saturday night. They've received good luck messages from , , England rugby union manager , as well as the England men's team. A couple of the players have even sent personal e-mails and Facebook messages from the Caribbean.
Now all England want to do is to play.
Ps - Don't forget you can listen to ball by ball commentary of the final on 5 Live Sports Extra from 2255 Saturday night and follow live text commentary on .
Comment number 1.
At 21st Mar 2009, Leidens_SS wrote:I wish the ladies good luck and hope they bring back the trophy. The standard of the cricket has been very good, and we should be very proud of them, regardless of the result. I also think they show what can be achieved by having a stable organisation with the team and coaches - I hope the mens team will remember thats why we did so well on 04/05.
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Comment number 2.
At 21st Mar 2009, jollygrandsamster wrote:Since the Aussies aren't involved in the final it is hardly surprising that the Aussie media's reaction is very low key but so what!! The two best sides in the tournament are contesting the final and I'm looking forward to it - hopefully it'll be a great final. As for player of the tournament I'll go for Laura Marsh - her haul of wickets have been sensational - but I'll guess that it'll be a batter that wins it. BEST OF LUCK GIRLS!!!
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Comment number 3.
At 21st Mar 2009, andie99uk wrote:My late grandmother played for England years ago & up to her death still watched the game whenever possible.
I am certian she will be in her armchair on a cloud somewhere cheering the girls on.
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Comment number 4.
At 22nd Mar 2009, nick750 wrote:Well done England!
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Comment number 5.
At 22nd Mar 2009, David Shield wrote:Well done England - fantastic result!
Great coverage also Alison by the way, enjoyed listening to the ABC coverage. Nice to hear some familiar voices in youself, Kerry O'Keffe and Quentin Hull.
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Comment number 6.
At 22nd Mar 2009, L A Odicean wrote:Well done , ladies. An excellent result and I only wish I had been there to join in the celebrations. I'm sure it was quite a party! I have not seen a ladies match since the days when players wore skirts, and, whilst I am delighted that the skirts have gone, I admit to a tinge of regret that they have been replaced by long trousers. Judging by the shortage of spectators I wonder, (and I hope I don't ruffle any feathers by saying this), if anyone has considered going back to the pleated skirts or even shorts. In this commercial world the 'selling' of the game is extremely important and perhaps the sight of some firm white thighs....I mean, footballers don't wear long trousers, do they?
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Comment number 7.
At 23rd Mar 2009, Chris wrote:Regarding the suggestion of skirts/shorts .... please no ! The team would undoubtlessly look fantastic in skirts or shorts (and indeed look fantastic in the photo of the team on Bondi beach that can be found on the web) and that might indeed attract some additional spectators but I think the women's game is a good enough product to warrant watching and supporting regardless of the kit.
The main reason for lack of spectators is lack of media coverage - a fate that seems to befall most sports other than (male) soccer.
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Comment number 8.
At 23rd Mar 2009, L A Odicean wrote:" The main reason for lack of spectators is lack of media coverage - a fate that seems to befall most sports other than (male) soccer."
If footballers wore long trousers would the sport have so many spectators? I don't think so.
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