A photo of the MCG from the World Cup Final

The most anticipated women’s world tournament held in Australia; who are arguably the leaders and trend setters of the game. With the women’s big bash being forever increasing in popularity over the last 5 years, this world cup was set to break some records and attract new audiences to the game.

The competition started on the 21st February with the Aussies taking on India at the SCG. Having played each other recently in the tri-series beforehand, the two teams were well acquainted and it was set to be a fierce match. Australia won the toss and decided to bowl. The young and explosive Shafali Verma instantly made an impact with her clean striking and shots down the ground scoring 29 off just 15 balls.  India scored 132 for 4 with Deepti Sharma missing out on her first international T20 fifty scoring 49* off 46 balls. A competitive total was set. In come the Aussies; with a deep and powerful batting line-up. Alyssa Healy prior to this game was out of some form; but she showed her class and experience at the top of the order with a 51 off 35 balls. A few low scores do not make you a bad player; she continued to trust her skills and continue playing the way that has made her successful rather than being reactive to her recent dismissals. The run rate was ticking over; but in comes Poonam Yadav, a leg-spinner who flights the ball well with batter’s becoming stuck at the crease. She caused some damage to the batting line up, taking regular wickets, finishing on 4 for 19, becoming the player of the match and the Indians taking the first win. The competition was already alive!

With the tournament being played over 16 days, games were coming thick and fast, and every game seemed to be of high importance keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. The most exciting moment for the women’s game, was the introduction of Team Thailand to the world stage in their first ever World Cup. The spirit of the game was well and truly exercised, seeing New Zealand, and various other past players like Charlotte Edwards give advice on the game, the tactics and mental attitude needed to achieve success on the big stage. Thailand are here to stay; and undoubtedly this tournament has given them the push to work on their skills, put in the hard work and keep improving. They have ignited a real change in the game back in their home town.

Group B had settled their two semi-finalists with South Africa and England, yet there was a quarter final happening in the other between the home team and New Zealand. Whoever wins this, would be guaranteed a semi final spot. The kiwis won the toss and elected to bowl. Beth Mooney has been in great form, and in a game with high stakes, she delivered again scoring 60 off 50 balls. Pressure was no issue; she continued to play her strengths with a 100% commitment. The top order all contributed, accumulating 155, a competitive score to chase down. Sophie Devine the most destructive batter in the competition; needed to lead from the front and have a good start. New Zealand built a few good partnerships of 20+ scores, however the young leg spinner Georgia Wareham stepped up under pressure taking 3 wickets for 17, which was also supported by Megan Schutt’s 3 for 28. New Zealand, fell just 5 runs short of making the semi-finals, but many positives for this nation who are on the up!

With the semi-finals on Thursday 5th March, both South Africa and India are the two teams who have never reached a world T20 final. It was all to play for. With plenty of rain around and no reserve day; the teams would play the waiting game. Unfortunately, England’s chances of reaching the final were cut short without a single ball being bowled due to the rain, something out of their control. How would you react to this situation? Put yourself in their position, and analyse what emotions you would go through, and how you would handle the them? Visualisation and imagery are strong techniques that help you prepare for different scenarios. Give it a go.

India sail through. Australia vs South Africa; a stop start game, led the Saffas needing 98 runs off 13 overs. Job done, the Aussies defended their score and make yet another T20 final, showing their class and managing their skills when it really counts. Having a strong domestic T20 competition, many of the players in the squad have experienced high pressure games. By reflecting what you done well in such experiences, has allowed them to find routines and calmness in high adrenaline moments. It’s important to practise under pressure, to help prepare yourselves for such games. This is now put to the test in the final…

The MCG after the World Cup Final in readiness for Katy Perry

So, here we go, 2 big nations, India vs Australia at the MCG on International Women’s day and Katy Perry headlining the night. 86,000 people came to join a momentous occasion in women’s sport and created an atmosphere like no other. Human dancing cricket bats, Katy Perry’s firework performance and the national anthems creating a much-anticipated final build up; the stage was set. The Aussies had some luck at the start of their batting innings, and from there they continued to capitalise on their second chances. A sign of grit and determination to make their moment count. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney put on a first wicket partnership of 115. A highlight was Healy’s 3 sixes in row, and the shot of the day hitting one over extra cover! And there on, 188 was the score to beat. India were in trouble from the start; their nerves got the better of them from ball one and created for a difficult task. With wickets tumbling, Australia put on a clinical performance taking all 10 wickets. The crowd roared; the players all sprinted, the celebrations began! The Australian women defended their T20 Trophy on home soil with many new fans behind them; it really was the start of something special.

Take a moment to step into any of the Indian players shoes. Nerves were around. Imagine yourself, standing at extra cover; soaking up the atmosphere, phone lights shining in the crowd and a 3 tier Mexican wave… How would you zone into the white leather cricket ball in the middle? Take a seat, somewhere relaxing with no distractions. Imagine hearing the noise, what the players are wearing, how the ground feels, the weather. Take a few deep breaths; calm yourself down, and zone into that white ball. Are you ready for that catch? Visualise yourself getting into a set position, hands ready and watching that ball all the way into them. Did you catch it?

Shafali Verma, only 16 years old with so much talent, felt the pressure here. However, she would never have experienced something like this and most of us won’t. But we will experience high pressure moments and It is important to prepare for all scenarios. Actively practising imagery will give you the tools to cope anywhere.

So many exciting games and moments of brilliance; with more to come with every series and competition in the future. But what is the real reason for this? How do these female athletes cope with pressure? The investment in the women’s game has increased substantially, and I truly believe this has created more time for female players to work on the game technically, tactically and more importantly mentally. Prior to professional contracts, many players would work a second job. Mentally this is taxing. Now having the time to focus on their goals, it has allowed many players to develop their skills successfully under pressure. There is more confidence shown, than ever before. Athletes backing themselves and trusting their processes, makes for more conviction; as the tournament accumulated the most ever sixes; 76 in total.

The women’s T20 world Cup this year is a catalyst for the future of women’s cricket, and it certainly looks incredibly exciting. With more interest than ever before across the world, no doubt, there will be 100s of thousands or even millions of young girls experiencing the game for the first time. With a real clear pathway to making cricket a professional career, young girls can now aspire to make their passion a reality.

With India now having made the 2017 and 2020 world cup finals, we are not far off from seeing a big women’s IPL competition. This year BCCI are set to have 4 teams in their t20 franchise competition this year showcasing more talent on the big stage. Other nations are now starting to investing in the women’s game, which is only going to strengthen up the pool of players, and make competitive tournaments in the future. 
For me personally, at a time where I was deciding between pursuing my career in cricket, with there being signifacnt changes in the Pathway in England and the announcement of domestic proffesional contract, it is now the best time to stay involved, work hard to make sure that I can have a cricket career in the near future. The fire to is still alive for myself and many girls back home to try and play at the highest level possible with there being more support than ever before. It truly is the start of something special across the world! 

Female athletes are on the rise; and we are not done just yet. It is an exciting time; whether you are retired or just starting out; there are now endless opportunities. Get involved; work hard at your craft and enjoy the process. You never know where it can take you; one day it could be you dancing with Katy Perry on stage with fans wanting a selfie every 5 minutes because of the athlete that you are.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Naomi Dattani is an English professional cricketer for Middlesex CCC and has captained the side for the past 3 seasons. She is also a member of the London Spirit in the upcoming Hundred competition and previously represented the Western Storm who were 2019 Champions of the Kia Super League. She holds a Level 2 ECB coaching qualification and has a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Her coaching philosophy is a combination of her playing experience, having worked with some of the best female cricketers in the game, and her understanding of how physiology and mentality play a huge role in an athlete’s development and life away from cricket. She is very passionate about helping share her learnings from her journey and helping other cricketers become their best – on and off the field.

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Chris 'Bucky' Rogers batting for Somerset in one of his 554 First-class innings

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I once spoke to a former professional player who became a coach in the professional ranks and asked him whether he would change his technique during the season during his playing career. He responded in the negative.

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About the writer: Chris 'Bucky' Rogers isn't your typical cricketer. Having toiled away in First-class cricket for over 15 years, he was finally rewarded for years of dominance opening the batting in both Australia & England with selection in the Australian Test team for the 2013 Ashes in England. He went on to play 25 Test matches for Australia where he scored 2,015 runs @ 42.87 including 5 x 100s. With the amazing First-class record of 25,470 runs & 76 centuries, he has now retired from playing and transitioned into coaching, where he currently is the batting coach for Somerset CCC. 

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He said working on technique is for preseason and once he started playing, all that mattered was watching the ball.

That, I’ve discovered, is a very traditional response, handed down from father to son.

I had to stop myself from groaning out loud. “How short-sighted” I wanted to reply. I’m sure he’s not alone and these days, coaches are reluctant to challenge technical issues in young players, preferring the students to figure it out themselves. Perhaps they fear intervention will only create more problems.

NO PRE-SEASON?

What if a player never has a pre-season as, like me, he plays continuously on both sides of the world, where the seasons overlap?

Just once did I have a pre-season in Australia – and that I remember mostly for the agony of running the sand-hills at City Beach in Perth, rather than any working on technique.

Instead I was chasing an endless summer by playing 12 months of the year in England as well as home. “What is a pre-season?” was my standard jibe at teammates.

That meant technical experimentation had to be done on the job – so the standard answer to not work on your game for six months of the year seems like a waste of time and opportunity to me.

Often as a young batsman, you’ll have days when you pick up a bat and it feels like it is a natural extension of your body and other days when it feels like you’re hefting around a railway sleeper.

DAYS WHEN THINGS WEREN'T WORKING

Numerous days in grade cricket and even opening the batting for Western Australia, my swing would feel so awkward I would be trying to adjust almost every ball. I might try picking the bat up higher in my swing, other times move my hands forward in my stance and even change the width of my stance. These were just a very few of many.

In fact what would really confuse me is, somehow I’d last until the lunch break feeling like I couldn’t hit one off the square and then come out after a 40 minute sit down and feel like I was Brian Lara … well not quite but you get the drift.

What it taught me though was to keep trying to get better. I would often think to myself, and now sprout this to every kid possible, one step back to go two steps forward. Working with my dad who was my coach, I’d try all sorts of technical changes and usually, after a while, something would click and it would all fall into place. It would be like hitting at a brick wall and then all of a sudden one thing works and the rest fall over like dominoes.

PROBLEM SOLVING - DON'T GET OUT THE SAME WAY

One of the great advantages of playing in four innings matches is the chance to problem solve as a batsman between the first and second innings. I disliked … no, I hated getting out the same way or to the same bowler in the second innings as I did in the first.

After getting out I would sit down and figure out a way to combat the bowler who dismissed me first time around. It might not have just been a mental change but quite possibly a technical one.

Stuart Clark once dismissed me for a duck with a perfect ball that pitched on off stump line and nipped away but instead of just accepting he’d bowled me a jaffa, I checked out the footage and saw my hands were not coming down straight in my swing pattern and caused everything - my hands and bat - to go towards mid on. So my bat actually was inside the line, hence the ball found my outside edge.

Second innings, my focus was trying to get my hands to go towards mid-off while playing with the inside half of my bat to counter the away movement. Yes I know this is a bit more than ‘Batting 101’ but I only started to understand my own batting by constantly tinkering – even to the extent of working out what doesn’t work, to find out what does.

PLAYING TO COACHING

As I moved from player to become a coach, a surprise first-up piece of advice from other coaches was to be careful about the level of input you try to pass on. Yes, that makes sense and it would be ignorant to not listen to advice from people who have spent a long time coaching. However, it will need to be balanced against my long-held belief that the best players in the world never stop seeking improvement.

My first club-coaching role came via former Australian player and teammate Bob Quiney to help out at his beloved St Kilda Cricket Club, where the players have an average age younger than ever and a thirst for learning.

I was wary of saying too much early, but when one player said, “I’ll do whatever you tell me to do Buck”, my tinkering instincts took over.

“One step back to go two steps forward”, I reasoned.

The first player asked me how to play slow medium pace bowlers as he had nicked off to one the previous Saturday. I told him to be positive and proactive. Walk at the bowler or walk into his line … a la Steve Smith … and whip him through the leg side if the bowler went for the stumps. The next Saturday he was in the same position and ended up, he said, with too much going through his mind and being neither proactive nor defensive. He nicked off again. But he had learnt from his mistake and knew what he’d do the next time and since has had some success.

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 Bucky passing on some knowledge during a batting masterclass for Cricket Mentoring in Perth

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INDOOR NETS SYNDROME

Another had what I call ‘indoor nets syndrome’ and had developed a swing where he just jabbed at balls that would race off his bat on the true synthetic surface, but had difficulty with the natural variation of turf wickets. His hands would go towards the leg side in his swing but the ball would slice to cover or more likely the slips. I was wary of trying to reshape his whole swing but then thought “Why not?” I’ll show him what I think works and he can figure the end result out for himself”. He was quite difficult to adjust and we even experimented with grip changes, not something I’d usually recommend.

After an hour’s work he was starting to get the basic principles and enjoying it. He had a far better understanding of a swing after trying something new and that can only benefit him. He can always go back to what he was doing but at least he’d tinkered and thought about it. Afterwards he seemed genuinely excited at the change and the understanding.

Yet there have been plenty of times where my coaching hasn’t worked. I tried to help Peter Siddle with his batting but made it worse. Eventually he figured a few things out himself and is still getting better – so maybe my “one-step-backwards” theory helped!

CHANGE TAKES TIME

With most things, change takes time to feel natural and this principle needs to be stressed and I’m wary of trying to change players into playing like me but sometimes certain things need to be tried.  I’m amazed when I see any tall player stand with his feet close together in his stance when Kevin Pietersen is ‘Example A’ of how to succeed as a tall batsman.

I firmly believe all the best players in the world are tinkerers and never stop trying to improve. Just ask Marcus Trescothick, who at age 41 was still telling everyone how he’s trying to fix things. That and his saying that ‘form hides in mysterious places’ were my two favourite things I got from him.

At the moment the county season has just started and he’s still working on his game plan against different kind of bowling. You’d think he’d have it all sorted by now but no, he’s using every opportunity to improve as we all should.

SUCCEEDING AT THE AGE OF 38

When asking me to write this article, Scolls (Tom Scollay) asked that I write a little about my own journey and how I managed to play well in the 2015 Ashes at age 38.

Like Trescothick, I had a thirst for perfection. Grit and determination was only a part of it. So many years of 12-months-playing of four-day cricket meant I had a very good understanding of my own game, with all its strengths and weaknesses, and to have some success against James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Steve Finn in bowler-friendly conditions was only possible with an in depth, intimate knowledge of my swing and my game.

For different bowlers and conditions, I would have different triggers. On the wickets that provided more bounce and seam I would have a back and across trigger while at other times, particularly against Anderson’s swing, I would push forward to try and cover the movement.

This skill only comes from trial and error and experimentation and willingness to learn. If every time I tried something, had initial failure and not persevered, my game would have been very one dimensional and limited.

Growing up I often watched in awe some of the bigger kids who seemed to make batting look easy but then fell away when they had to play against adults who matched them in size and strength. I believe it was because these kids had got it so easy early on, that they hadn’t learned to work at their game to try to understand it better.

ALL THE BEST ARE ALWAYS CHASING IMPROVEMENT

Of course, there are plenty of examples to disprove the mould but of all the best batsmen I have seen, the one consistent attribute they possess is a desire to never be satisfied and to chase improvement.

They tinker to learn … and then comes improvement.

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