ICC’S emphasis on women’s game

The International Cricket Council is pushing for women’s cricket to be a part of the Commonwealth Games but has no plans to do the same for the men.

The ICC announced this week that it had put in a bid to Commonwealth Games.

The last time cricket was on the schedule was 20 years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with South Africa winning gold and Australia the silver medal.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said it was great the ICC was pushing the women’s game forward. He did comment on why the men’s cricket was not pushed by the ICC.

‘‘The ICC’S bid to include women’s T20 cricket in the Commonwealth Games is an exciting prospect for our White Ferns and the game of cricket as a whole,’’ he said.

‘‘To have the ICC lead the way in taking cricket to new audiences and inspiring more young girls to take up the game fits perfectly with what NZC is trying to achieve in our own backyard.’’

White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaite was thrilled her side could be in contention for a games medal.

‘‘Having just attended the T20 World Cup and seeing the uptake of women’s cricket, it’s fantastic to hear it may now be included in the Commonwealth Games,’’ she said.

The ICC said the application for inclusion of women’s cricket at the games is part of the global strategy for cricket to inspire and empower women and girls around the world, and to drive greater levels of inclusivity and opportunity throughout the sport.