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[Ciaran]

Both very fair points, and there are lots of issues around the standard of 2nd XI cricket - but for me I'll always see it as a route for young players to force themselves into 1st XI cricket for their county.

Would you make Sarah's first game against male bowlers in what would be a highly publicised County 2nd XI game?

Interesting that Sarah feels she needs to prove herself in club cricket too.

"I've still got so much to look forward to, especially in men's cricket. But I need to see how well I go in club cricket first."

From what Ive read about Sarah in the past, she has a lot of self doubt! That does seem to disappear when she goes out into the middle though!

Also Im assuming netting with the Mens 2nds and other will sharpen her up further!

P.S what id give for a private net session with Danni Wyatt!

[ajm90]

Love to see her score a hundred, think it would be a great advert for the womens game

[Leddster138]

Isn't this her?

http://brightonandhove.play-cricket.com/profile/statistics.asp?id=85289&ruleTypeID=6101

Yes, my point was that she hadn't played men's club cricket for them.

[Tom]

From what Ive read about Sarah in the past, she has a lot of self doubt! That does seem to disappear when she goes out into the middle though!

Also Im assuming netting with the Mens 2nds and other will sharpen her up further!

Women's cricket is seen as a lower standard to mens, which is why they have the seperate sides. But no-one knows how far apart they are. A few of the England women's side play 2nd and 3rd XI cricket for their local clubs, others play Premier League - perhaps they could player higher, perhaps not.  A women playing Men's county cricket (albeit 2nd XI) would be a great step for the sport and it does excite me greatly, but with it being such a big step it should be treated carefully.

Neither Sarah or Sussex have said she's definitely playing 2nd XI cricket, and they both appear to be taking a stance of 'let's see how it goes'. That completely aligns with my view, and I'm surprised many on here disagree with it.

[Ciaran]

Im not disagreeing that she will need to develop her game, more my belief is that it would be a great thing for womens cricket and possibly the uptake of juniors if someone got to this level.

[ProCricketer1982]

Cracking day for cricket! Some of the top women are some of the best 'players' (both male and female) there are around in the country. I'm hoping she gets stuck in and gets some runs and proves the doubters wrong. IMO all county 2nd xi's should be formed from the best players playing that counties league system anyway, not just the rich boys club or so and so's son etc.


A couple of people have mentioned the Lincs ECB Prem and WEPL with degree's of 'this is good, this is bad'... What is the current 'thinking' of which ECB Prem leagues are the 'strongest' and which are the 'weakest'. I'm hoping it's not just based on the odd top side but more on the overall strength of every side.

Just interested to see why the WEPL is regarded so highly etc.

[procricket]

Because when I played every team was pritty much stocked with quality there was no filling in there was no letting up

I have played in 5 other premier league types and not one of them leagues had the quantity and quality of teams and the players

Most premier leagues are very regionalised

The wepl I know takes the best from a few counties

[jamesisapayne]

I think it's great she's going to play = if you're good enough, you're old enough etc etc

I've netted next to an England women's player at Taunton and she was fantastic. Playing shots at speeds I can only dream of.

Best of luck to her

[Bulldog Cricket]

I only know the WEPL Adi so can't comment on the other leagues.

Back in the late 80's my brother in law used to travel to play in the Birmingham league to play for smethick as the standard was better there then (he was the pro with Steve Waugh and used to travel together !)

I think Prem 1 has improved since then but the other divisions are much of a muchness.

I used to play for the pick of the league side which was a good opportunity to play against other league. Don't think they do that anymore ?

[Bulldog Cricket]

Because when I played every team was pritty much stocked with quality there was no filling in there was no letting up

I have played in 5 other premier league types and not one of them leagues had the quantity and quality of teams and the players

Most premier leagues are very regionalised

The wepl I know takes the best from a few counties

You are in an excellent position to comment Dave having played in a few leagues.

[ProCricketer1982]

no idea why but I assumed the Brum league would be up there, Yorkshire leagues, London leagues. Just interested to know where the Northants league rates (can't remember for sure but I think that has sides from surrounding counties in there too so it's not actually just Northants.

[SOULMAN1012]

I would really like to see this happen. I have seen a few women play in 2nd, 3rd eleven cricket in and around Kent over the past few years. Yes some have looked way out of place but many have held there own. Especially on the bowling department.

I think that as long as she has good tech (and playing international cricket at any level) she obviously has she will be fine. Se may need to stand a yard or two further back to the quicks but she will be fine I reckon.

Good for the game in my opinion.

[RossViper]

Fair play to her, I wish her the best of luck.

However, truth be told, this is a [sad] reflection on the standard of country Second team cricket.

In fairness I have not seen her play, so I'm talking a little bit out of turn, because it could be that she is the most amazing woman player ever. That could be the case, and like I said, fair play to her.

But I side with Tom a bit here, I find it almost impossible to believe that she will go on to play first class cricket, and so surly there must be some "better" prospect that Sussex could get hold of? So even if she does do well in the 2's, it will be great for her, but I can't see it doing a lot for Sussex.

I remember when Lengie played for us at Leeds/Bradford, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Leng), it was hard for her, and I'm not sure it was the right thing for the team if I'm honest. Likewise when Charlotte Edward (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Edwards) netted with us at Northants a few times - only the colts side, it was a big step up for her, and I think maybe a bit to big.

I can't think of any other sport - apart form mixed doubles - where men and women play together - are there any others??

The difference in strength is to much...

We're not talking about playing with rotund, balding, 40 years olds here, this is a professional game, played by talented,  fit, strong young men...

But like Kerion said, second team cricket is not what it used to be, its mostly young kids, so fair play to her, and good luck if she gets the nod.






 

no idea why but I assumed the Brum league would be up there, Yorkshire leagues, London leagues. Just interested to know where the Northants league rates (can't remember for sure but I think that has sides from surrounding counties in there too so it's not actually just Northants.

Northants prem is about middeling. Only Peterborough play from out side the county, as the standard of cricket in the cams and hunts prems is not very good - apparently.

[Bulldog Cricket]

I think county cricket in general is not what it used to be. With central contracts none of the elite England players play county cricket. With the IPL, Big Bash, etc the good overseas players go and play that ahead of county cricket. If you do get a good overseas player come and play it is usually for a month or two at best.

That said, Womens cricket has advance hugely over the past 5 years and are definitely catching the men (at county standard) up.

[ProCricketer1982]

Northants prem is about middeling. Only Peterborough play from out side the county, as the standard of cricket in the cams and hunts prems is not very good - apparently.

Boo.. Oh well. Middle isn't bad I suppose. I can't comment on the quality of county 2nd xi really as i've never seen it or the strength of 1st xi  but as Kieron says, with the lack of top quality regular overseas guys playing that has to hurt the overall quality.