India’s celebrated fast bowler, Jhulan Goswami, has spoken out on the growing influence of franchise cricket in the women’s game. In a candid conversation on ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, she articulated both the benefits and potential pitfalls of this burgeoning trend, recommending that the International Cricket Council (ICC) take strategic steps to prevent scheduling clashes between national and franchise commitments. This, she believes, is crucial for the sustained growth and future of women’s cricket.
“It’s a big challenge for women’s cricket,” Goswami remarked on the podcast. “Earlier we saw these things happen for men’s cricket but never expected it to happen for women’s cricket, but that’s happening. And I’m happy to see that. The ICC needs to take care; franchise cricket is the future of women’s cricket. And that’s the growth of women’s cricket globally. You have to give priority to every franchise league, otherwise cricket will not grow.”
Drawing attention to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Goswami highlighted the team’s struggle when they missed out on England captain Heather Knight for the league’s second season. Knight had opted to fulfill her national duties during England’s tour of New Zealand, spotlighting the sacrifices players must make when national and franchise schedules collide. This kind of conflict had also affected other prominent players like Chamari Athapaththu, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma. They missed the first week of the Women’s Hundred due to their involvement in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup.
“See how many quality cricketers were produced by franchise cricket in the last few years, starting with WBBL as well as the Hundred, WCPL, WPL,” Goswami noted, underscoring the significant role franchise leagues have played in developing new talent. “A lot of youngsters they’ve provided every year so you have to give priority to those windows, and after that, you have to have bilateral series. If you have your bilateral series and franchise leagues clashing, then you will lose out on quality cricketers. And if you don’t have quality cricketers, then your tournament is not going to be successful.”
Goswami further stressed that the international cricket community should view the rise of T20 leagues as an opportunity rather than a threat.
. By scheduling franchise and international matches in well-defined windows, the overall ecosystem of women’s cricket can thrive without forcing players to choose between national pride and professional growth.
“In women’s cricket, we don’t have a lot of options; we have only a few quality cricketers in the world,” she explained. “If they’re occupied in bilateral series, then the volume of the (T20) tournaments is going to go down. We should make sure that when the premier league (franchise) tournaments are going on, give them certain windows, and after that you have the bilateral series. It will help women’s cricket’s growth also. That is my personal view.”
The importance of this strategic separation of schedules is evident in the achievements of franchise cricket. The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), for instance, has been pivotal in inspiring a new generation of female cricketers. Similarly, the Women’s Hundred in England and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) have provided invaluable platforms for players to showcase their skills. These leagues have not only boosted the global popularity of women’s cricket but also raised the standard of play, making bilateral series more competitive and exciting.
Goswami’s comments reflect a keen understanding of the delicate balance required to ensure the growth of women’s cricket. Her insights come at a crucial juncture as the ICC and national boards deliberate on the best way forward amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of women’s sports. By giving franchise leagues their due importance and carefully coordinating international fixtures, cricket authorities around the world can create a win-win scenario that fosters both player development and fan engagement.
In conclusion, Jhulan Goswami’s perspective offers a blueprint for managing the expanding calendar of women’s cricket. Her advocacy for prioritizing franchise windows while safeguarding bilateral series is a strategic approach that could safeguard the future of the sport. It is now up to the cricketing authorities to heed this advice and ensure that women’s cricket continues its upward trajectory, providing ample opportunities for budding stars and seasoned professionals alike. The stakes are high, but so is the potential for unprecedented growth and global recognition.
