Cricket Australia forms Recognition of Women in Cricket Working Group

On this International Women’s Day with the theme ‘choose to challenge’, Cricket Australia has announced its commitment to addressing gender imbalance with the formation of a Recognition of Women in Cricket Working Group.

Cricket Australia is committed to growing the game of cricket for women and girls and the working group will be important in supporting their wider Female Engagement Strategy.

Addressing the imbalance of public recognition for women in cricket will be a major focus for the group.

As a major first step, the NSW Government’s stadiums authority Venues NSW has committed to housing the first sculpture of a women’s cricketer at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The sculpture will be the first of its type for a female cricketer, compared to the 73 known statues or sculptures of male cricketers across Australia.

Cricket Australia Interim Chief Executive, Nick Hockley notes “just as this year’s International Women’s Day theme promotes ‘choose to challenge’, we are committed to challenging ourselves to continue to address gender inequality across our game.

“Precisely one year ago to the day, we were celebrating a ground-breaking moment when 86,174 fans packed out the MCG for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

“So many challenges have been presented since that day, and it is now more important than ever that we keep pushing for equality in cricket and keep building the momentum established before the pandemic.

“This is a historic moment for the game with Venues NSW today committing to the first sculpture of a female cricketer at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and we can’t thank Kerrie and her team enough for their leadership.”

Venues NSW Chief Executive, Kerrie Mather added “The working group’s aims have the full support of Venues NSW and I am delighted that the first sculpture of a female cricketer will be unveiled at the SCG in the months ahead.

“The SCG precinct has hosted some of the world’s greatest female athletes including cricketers Betty Wilson, Belinda Clark, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes and even the Gregory sisters who played in the first ever organised women’s cricket match on this day 135 years ago at what was then the Association Ground.

“In addition, Cricket Australia has co-commissioned a piece of artwork with the Melbourne Cricket Club that will depict the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Final. The artwork will be painted by award-winning artist Vincent Fantauzzo and will begin to redress the imbalance of artwork that depicts women’s sport at the ground.

“The piece will be showcased within the level 2 corridors of the MCC Members’ Reserve where it will feature as a regular of the MCG Tour route, meaning more than 40,000 school children each year will learn the powerful story of the T20 World Cup Final.”

Initial Members of the Recognition of Women in Cricket Working Group

Nick Hockley (Cricket Australia Interim CEO)

Angela Pippos (Journalist and Producer)

Christina Matthews (WACA CEO)

Kerrie Mather (Venues NSW CEO)

Kirsty Henshall (Pioneers Victorian Women’s Cricket Association Vice-President)

Kristene Reynolds (Cricket Australia General Manager of Communications)

Lisa Sthalekar (ACA director and former Australian Captain)

Rachael Haynes (Australian Women’s Cricket Team Vice-Captain)

Rina Hore (Bradman Museum Executive Director)

Image: 2020 Women's T20 World Cup players courtesy Cricket Australia