As the NRMA Insurance Women’s International Series continues in Australia, both the Aussie and Indian cricket teams have won a T20I match each so far. With 1 more T20I in Adelaide, three ODIs in Brisbane and Hobart, and finally Test cricket in Perth to wrap up the multi-format series, there’s more time for each team to make their mark on the pitch. As India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has said, it can’t be done without cheering fans in the stands, whose support helps fuel motivation and energy amongst the players.
“As a team, we always want to entertain our fans with playing good cricket, and that is our motive to play good cricket here also,” Kaur told Draw Your Box at a press conference in Sydney last week. “And hopefully [we] will inspire more young girls to play cricket, while showing them good cricket,” she added.
As a cricket nation, India’s fans show a level of passion that some argue is unrivalled around the world. The fandom’s spirit – in India, but also amongst the diaspora in Australia – has risen to a new level since November, when the Indian international women’s team made history winning its first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title. It has not only signalled a growing appetite for watching women’s cricket, but also more visibility and inspiration (as Kaur acknowledged above), for young brown girls who aspire to pursue the sport professionally.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux has said she’s been just as excited for the Aussie team to play in front of roaring crowds, especially on home soil.
“Well, they’re both passionate, but in their own ways,” Molineux told Draw Your Box at the same press conference, when asked how Indian and Australian fans compare. “I think Indian fans, they’re really vocal, they’re loud, they’re high on emotion,” she said, adding, “and we also can get loud, probably rough around the edges”.
It’s “full steam ahead for the India series” according to Molineux. “It’s a massive tour, and India – they’re coming out here with a lot of confidence and and we know they’re going to throw challenges at us throughout the series,” she said. “And there’s no better way to do it than to play in our own backyard.”
Indian player Jemimah Rodrigues, as well as captain Harmanpreet Kaur, made headlines for their instrumental role in India’s victory against Australia at the Women’s World Cup last year. When asked at the same press conference whether Australia will particularly target Rodrigues and Kaur during this series Down Under, Molineux laughed: “There’s probably five or six or 12 of them, to be fair”.
“They’re a great team, and they’re full of confidence,” she told media. “Jemmie and Harman’s innings against us in India, that was a really big game for them in the context of – I suppose – their team and the history of cricket in India. But at the same time, Smriti, Richa Ghosh, there’s names there.”
Kaur said it’s equally an exciting challenge going up against the Aussies. “We always love to play against Australia, because we know how good they are,” she said. “Whenever you play against such a good team, you always want to enjoy your cricket. Our team always enjoys playing against them, so playing here is always exciting.”
The two captains’ appearance at the Sydney press conference came ahead of their first T20I match for the series on February 15 that saw India win by the DLS method due to rain partway through at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After speaking to media, they posed for photos with children to help launch Cricket Australia and UNICEF’s ‘Until Every Child Can Play’.
“It’s an incredible partnership, to be working with UNICEF and trying to help every child have the opportunity to play. It’s basic human rights in terms of education, nutrition, healthcare – things like that which all lead to these opportunities to play and live long and healthy lives,” Molineux said in a statement.
“Travelling the world, especially going to places that love their cricket, being able to see their culture and so many kids there that would love the opportunity to be able to play cricket, and learn and grow. We want to keep building awareness until every child can play.”
Libby Hodgson, UNICEF Australia Chief Marketing Officer, said: “UNICEF Australia is extremely proud to be partnering with Cricket Australia, to help us deliver our crucial work for millions of children around the world who can’t make it to the pitch.
“We know cricket fans are passionate and engaged – and protecting the rights of children will resonate with them, giving fans across the country the opportunity to make a real difference, so UNICEF can deliver vital programs that ensure every child can grow up safe, healthy and able to experience the joy and possibility of play.”
At the same media conference, Molineux and Kaur were joined by Cricket Australia Chief Commercial, Ed Sanders, who referred to the series as “the next chapter in a blockbuster summer of cricket” that “will see two of cricket’s strongest teams battle out an exciting contest”.
“There are compelling games and plenty of highlights to look forward to, as we welcome a new captain in Sophie Molineux and farewell one of the greats of our game in Alyssa Healy,” he told media.
With the NRMA Insurance Boundary Social launched that day – giving fans the opportunity to access the boundary viewing experience on a first-in-first-served basis across all three T20I matches – Julie Batch, NRMA Insurance Chief Executive Officer added in a statement: “The NRMA Insurance Women’s International Series is a defining moment for our Australian women’s team as they continue their pursuit of excellence on the international stage. We’re proud to support them during this exciting chapter.”
Australia won the second T20I at Manuka Oval in Canberra, and there’s now one more left to play at Adelaide Oval on February 21 – where the NRMA Insurance Boundary Social will be in place for fans to enjoy. This will be followed by three ODIs in Brisbane and Hobart, and then Test cricket in Perth. Times and locations are listed below, and more ticket information can be found here.
NRMA Insurance Australia v India Multi-Format Series (local times):
T20Is
- February 15: First T20, SCG, 7:15pm
- February 19: Second T20, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 7:15pm
- February 21: Third T20, Adelaide Oval, 6:45pm
ODIs
- February 24: First ODI, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 1:50pm
- February 27: Second ODI, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 2:50pm
- March 1: Third ODI, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 2:50pm
Test
- March 6-9: Test match, WACA Ground, 1:20pm
Top image – Pictured: Sophie Molineux and Harmanpreet Kaur, Source: Supplied by Cricket Australia/Photo by Darrian Traynor Getty Images for Cricket Australia
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