Women power in cricket

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Venturing into a male bastion, a set of women cricketers has made a name for their college, the Malabar Christian College in Kozhikode, by winning inter-university championships this time, with diligent training and a professional approach.

The team are the defending champions of the Calicut University inter-zone Cricket Championship for the past seven years, and are one of the powerhouses of players to the State team.

“We are the major contributors of members to the state women cricket team. About 50 per cent of the players are from MCC, every year,” says K. Haridasan, physical trainer and one who trains the team at the college.

The idea of a women cricket team came up at a meeting in 1999, when history department head M.C. Vasisht mooted the idea. Within two years, we became the inter-zone champions; and, for the past seven years, we were able to hold it, he says.

“Most of the players in Calicut University are from our team and we were winners in the All-India University Championship held in Thrissur in 2009-10. Besides, we have won the South Zone Inter-University Championship and also came third in the all-India championship last year,” he says.

“Every year, we have a systematic planning in cricket coaching. We select the students from a one-month camp. The best performers will be given admission and we will coach them.

Several players from even as far as Kollam have come in for admission to the college for cricket coaching,” he says.

”Once the college opens, we will practise daily. The college is of great support to the players as they have provided us with good facilities,” he said.

“Even the other college teams come to our ground to practise. Several players such as T. Shani and E Rensy have excelled in the game from our college. Both have played South Zone Inter University Championship,” says Haridasan.

One of the major problems the women cricket is facing is a lack of many tournaments. Besides, the players are not getting any grooming from the schools. “To find good talents, we have to make the initial push. However, I understand the game has a good fan following among girls,” he said.