Not just a 'gentleman’s game': How women changed cricket

A woman invented overarm bowling in cricket and the first ever world cup was played by women. Ironically though, cricket was always called a ‘gentleman’s game’. In this episode of Colours of Cricket, we explore the challenges faced by female cricketers in Australia, and how South Asian women are contributing to a new era for women’s cricket.

Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar celebrates after dismissing Indian Mithali Raj during the ICC Womens World Cup Twenty20 semi final match between Australia and India in 2010. Source: AFP / Emmanuel Dunand, Getty Images

Rising Sydney cricketer Ira Patel says there are many challenges for young girls to start playing cricket and take it forward.

Currently cricket is classified as a masculine sport. Girls prefer stick[ing] to dance, netball and creative activities.

Ira Patel

Like many other female cricketers in Australia, Ira started playing the game in mixed teams. She says the challenges for girls start from a young age.

Still, many girls from South Asian communities are going to great lengths to pursue their passion for cricket.

Two of these players have helped Australia become world champions. Lisa Sthalekar in 2013 and Alana King in 2022.

India-born Lisa Sthalekar took the finishing catch when Australia won its sixth Women’s cricket World Cup in 2013.

Alana King was born in Australia to parents who migrated from Chennai to Melbourne. In 2022, King’s leg-spin deliveries contributed significantly to Australia’s success in the peak tournament. 

Both Stahlekar and King started playing in boys teams.

Mel Jones, former Australian player and first woman of colour in the Board of Cricket Australia, says cricket at all levels is still seen through the prism of the men’s game.

When we look at the scheduling of games across world cricket, typically everything is put in place for the men’s program and then whatever is left, we are going to fit in the women’s program around that.

Mel Jones

However, in recent years women’s cricket has received more support and attention. Experts agree that Australia hosts the best domestic league for women now, the WBBL. Indian players contribute to the success of this tournament, as much as they gain from it.

So what will be the future of WBBL if the Indian Premier League, the world’s most lucrative cricket franchise, kick starts a women’s version? Experts have differing predictions.

Hear more by clicking play above, or find Colours of Cricket in the SBS Radio app or your favourite podcast app such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Hosts: Preeti Jabbal and Kulasegaram Sanchayan

Lead Producer: Deeju Sivadas

Producers: Sahil Makkar, Vatsal Patel, Abhas Parajuli

Sound Design: Max Gosford

Program Manager: Manpreet Kaur Singh

Advisor: Patrick Skene

Colours of Cricket is an eight-part podcast series, created by SBS Radio's South Asian language programs; SBS Bangla, SBS Gujarati, SBS Hindi, SBS Malayalam, SBS Nepali, SBS Punjabi, SBS Sinhala, SBS Tamil, and SBS Urdu.