Cricket terms urged to go gender-neutral

AN AUSTRALIAN cricket administrator has called for terms like “batsman” and “12th man” to be dropped in favour of gender-neutral versions like “batter” and “12th”, to encourage women and girls to play the game.

Western Australia Cricket Association chief executive Christina Matthews told the PerthNow website that “words matter” and the “gentleman’s game” needed to be more inclusive.

She said cricket should adopt words like “batter”, “12th” and “third” – instead of “third man” – describing the traditional terms as “a bit like bullying”.

“Here we are, in 2017, using terms such as 12th man, batsman, fieldsman and nightwatchman without a second thought,” Matthews was quoted as saying. “In my view, there’s no common sense reason why [the terms can’t be changed]. I think it’s just something people have held on to,” she added.

“Words matter, and words demonstrate respect as well. By not changing the terms, you’re disrespecting half the population. I’m not saying people are deliberately trying to offend but it’s a bit like bullying – whether you’re bullied or not is dictated by the person who is on the end of it, not the person who’s doing it.”

India A draw with Australia

Perth Scorchers fast bowler Piepa Cleary backed Matthews and said it was important to take steps towards gender equality in cricket.

“Everyone still says female athletes or female cricket, but we’re athletes playing cricket,” Cleary said, according to the report. “We need to stop being compared to the men’s game and be recognised for playing the same sport in our own field.

“It’s going to take a long time to change, but hopefully it will start to happen sooner rather than later.”

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer blasted a fine double century on Sunday to help India A draw their three-day warm-up match against Australia, as the visitors gear up for the Test series starting on Thursday.

The right-hander hit a career-best 202 not out with 27 fours and seven sixes to help India A reach 403 in reply to t he v isitors’ f i rst-i nnings 469 for 7 declared at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.

Australia were 4-110 in their second innings when the captains agreed to call off the game half an hour before schedule.

Iyer, 22, scored at almost a run a ball and was well partnered by Krishnappa Gowtham, whose 74 included 10 fours and four sixes.

India started the day on 176 for four and first to go was Rishabh Pant (21), when he was caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe.

Ishan Kishan (4) then gave a thick edge to keeper Matthew Wade off Mitchell Marsh.

But Iyer and Gowtham put together a 138-run partnership against Australia’s frontline spin attack, before Gowtham was bowled by O’Keefe.

The tailenders made little impact, with O’Keefe and off-spinner Nathan Lyon bundling the remaining three batsmen out in just over five overs.

Australian openers David Warner (35) and Matt Renshaw (10) failed to give their team a solid start in their second innings, with the first wicket falling at 27.

The visitors lost their fourth wicket on 101 when Peter Handscomb (37) was caught by Gowtham off Rishabh Pant.