Australian pace legend Brett Lee believes that the Women’s cricket could reach the next level in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 while picking the defending champions and hosts Australia Women and India Women as the two most impressive teams in the upcoming event.
He was delighted to see the way women’s game is developing leaps and bounds since the first T20 World Cup in 2009, saying the upcoming showpiece event is a chance to be a part of history by breaking the record attendance for a women’s sporting event in the final on International Women’s Day on March 8 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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The cricket commentator further added that if the upcoming ICC event is able to reach its predicted new heights, then the sky really is the limit for the women’s game, saying he is incredibly proud that Australia will play host to this historic tournament.
The T20 World Cup 2020 will get underway on Friday (February 21) at the Sydney Showground with India taking on the hosts Australia and former pace bowler said the opener between top two teams could really set a tone for the tournament.
Lee wrote in his column for ICC: “Women’s cricket could reach the next level in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 and I’m incredibly proud that Australia will play host to this historic tournament. The first game at the Sydney Showground between Australia and India could really set a tone for the tournament, with a match-up between two of the most impressive teams in the game.”
The 10-team showpiece event will be played across six venues in Australia and the Aussie said: “With matches in six venues across Sydney, Perth, Canberra, and Melbourne, it’s amazing that Australia has the opportunity to bring the best in the world together in a festive atmosphere. These grounds are among the best in the world, for both players and fans, and the power and artistry that comes with women’s cricket will be fantastic to watch.”
He further added, “Each game and ground will provide a brilliant spectacle but there is something even more special about the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the home of my first five-wicket haul on Test debut for Australia.”
Commenting on the tournament opener teams, former international said: “Australia will be playing host to some of the greatest cricketers of all time. The home nation will be confident in their chances of having won the tournament four times so far. And in Meg Lanning, they have a really special captain who is the perfect lead to her team of superstars.”
The Aussie continued by saying he will keep a close eye on India, “With Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma in their batting unit, we’ll also need to keep a close eye on India, a side who are set to add a fourth dimension to this tournament.”
On the growth of Women’s cricket, Lee said: “Women’s cricket has continued to pleasantly surprise me and proven that these challenges are achievable. Whether it’s at the MCG or the venues around Australia, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 is a chance to be a part of history, creating memories which will stay with people for generations.”
He signed off by saying, “Hosting the final there on 8 March will be an occasion to behold, and the prospect of breaking the record attendance for a women’s sporting event – on International Women’s Day – is an extra special one. The future is therefore bright for the women’s game, and if the tournament is able to reach its predicted new heights, then the sky really is the limit.”
(With ICC Inputs)
