Australian cricket team accepts criticism of being professional

[ad_1]

When brickbats started arriving instead of bouquets, Australian goalkeeper Alyssa Healy knew the women’s game was finally where it should be.

Compliments alone have never been a sign that you have shone in the sport and, deep down, Australian goalkeeper Alyssa Healy knew it from the start.

To be criticized, scrutinized and analyzed to the umpteenth degree, to feel the thud of a lighter landing among the bouquets, is the real mark that people take you seriously.

And women’s football is finally gaining the credit – and the reviews – it deserves.

“For a while all the media was so positive about us and wanted to puff us up and while it felt good it was a bit fluffy,” said Australian cricketer Healy, who is looking forward to the review. increase brought by a flourishing profile.

Don’t miss the Australia vs India women’s cricket match on Tuesday, September 21

The Australian Women’s Cricket Team agrees that the tone has changed, from cheerful ‘aren’t you wonderful’ support to more forensic analysis, praise and criticism that accompanies the fact of get paid professionally.

They have crossed the Rubicon into the world of high expectations and know there is no turning back… not that they want to.

They can even identify the precise moment when it happened.

“You could tell that changed when the T20 World Cup rounds started in Australia last season,” said opener Beth Mooney.

“We lost to India and all of a sudden the team selections and the way we were playing was under scrutiny, we’ve never really had that before. But it really helped us grow as a team. I welcomed him. ”

The team’s breathtaking record, including a world record of 24 consecutive ODI wins, has made them to women’s cricket what the All Blacks are to rugby union – so successful that their losses often create more publicity than their victories.

Healy was the first player to feel the heat when she suffered a drop in form ahead of the start of last year’s Cup which Australia won by beating India in front of more than 86,000 fans at the MCG.

“There was a real discussion about whether I should open the stick because I wasn’t scoring and I loved the debate because it showed people were interested,” Healy said. “There were fair points.

“I’m normally very positive about my form and feel like it’s only one run away, but I remember reading this story outlining the reasons why I should give up the command and think” maybe I shouldn’t open “.

“We think people start to take your sport seriously when they criticize what you do.

“I remember opening the diary and there was a whole page on Steve Smith and why he’s not scoring. Sometimes that’s not fair, but you know people care about Steve Smith’s points, so you want to know why he’s not.

“I felt right before the World Cup that it was like everything was fine, but no one was saying what we were not doing well.”

With Fox Cricket focusing its attention on seven international matches to be played between Australia and India, great Adam Gilchrist had noted the transition from the comments area.

“With full-time profile and professionalism comes greater scrutiny,” said Gilchrist.

“I can understand that ‘fluffy’ comment Alyssa made because we’ve seen people work through phases like comparing it to the men’s game with lines like ‘wow they actually play pretty fast – not that fast. than men but still fast “‘or” gee they are athletic. “

“I don’t think anyone wanted to be humiliating, but they felt that surprise. Now, they’re just rated on their standalone quality without comparison to the men’s game. It’s great. Meg Lanning pioneered a typing method that has drawn a lot of women with her.

“One of my favorite sites in women’s football is Beth Mooney coming down the field and banging against the spinning cover. No one is saying it’s like men’s football because it is a legitimate part of women’s football. ”

Colorful commentator Kerry O’Keeffe is also a keen observer of the women’s game and has noted how champion drummer Ellyse Perry gives bowlers a 25cm by 25cm shoebox around the stump where she will respect their work.

If it’s shorter or wider than that, be careful. The champion will come and get you.

[ad_2]