Over the past few years women commentators have been part of high-profile tournaments across the globe. It has promoted women’s cricket to a large extent. Over the years, women’s commentary has carved a niche for itself and has grown leaps and bounds. With several woman commentators coming to the fore, the future is forecasted to be upbeat for women’s cricket.
There have been instances when a player has gone on to become a commentator after announcing retirement. Also, there has been occasions where a women hasn’t played the game, but has been considered as an insightful reader of the sport.
In this article, we take you through the best in the business in the world of women’s cricket commentary.
#5 Lisa Sthalekar
The Indian-born Lisa Sthalekar had been an indispensable component of the Australian Women’s team. Equally efficient with both bat and ball, Sthalekar was Australia’s go to player in crucial junctures of a game.
After bidding adieu to International cricket, the Australian all-rounder shifted to the world of media. After leaving her job with the New South Wales team, Lisa moved on to work for ABC Grandstand from where she kick-started her role as a commentator.
She was called up to be a part of the IPL’s commentary team in 2015 and is currently a part of the commentary panel in the Women’s World Cup in England.
#4 Melanie Jones
As a cricketer, Melanie Jones was more than handy, but erratic performances plagued her international career for the Australian Women’s team. In 61 One Day Internationals, she could only gather runs at an average of 21.41, which didn’t help her cause of establishing her name on the team sheet.
However, as a commentator, Melanie Jones has been spectacular, to say the least. She commenced her journey during the Women’s World T20 in 2007 and has gone from strength to strength since then. The former right-handed batter has also been a part of the commentary team in the Big Bash League and also the Pakistan Super League.
Currently in the commentary team of the Women’s World Cup, Mel Jones is one their most experienced broadcasters and has a bright future in the com box.
#3 Anjum Chopra
During her playing days, Anjum Chopra was deemed to be a stalwart in the Indian batting line-up and had been rated amongst the very best in world cricket. After hanging up her boots up from International cricket in 2012, the left-handed batter pursued commentary to take forward her passion for cricket.
In 2015, the Padma Shree award winner made her debut in the commentary box when she was named in the commentary panel for the eighth edition of the prestigious Indian Premier League.
She is also currently in the commentary panel of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup in England. She feels that women’s commentary is a revelation and will be healthy for women’s cricket in the future.
#2 Charlotte Edwards
Charlotte Edwards was arguably the most dynamic and the greatest cricketer women’s cricket has ever witnessed. The English cricketer is currently the highest run getter in Women’s cricket with 5992 runs in 191 matches. She had also notched up nine ODI centuries in her illustrious career.
She was recorded as the youngest woman to play International cricket when she made her debut against New Zealand way back in 1996. Captaining the England team was a feather in the cap of the Huntingdon-born cricketer.
After her stint as a cricketer, she remained associated with the sport as she went on to take up commentary.
#1 Allison Mitchell
Allison Mitchell is undoubtedly one of the most experienced heads in the commentary box and is currently working with the commentary team in the Women’s World Cup. In 2002, she joined BBC Asian Network and since then she hasn’t looked back.
From bilateral tournaments and World Cups to BBC specials, she has commentated on a wide range of games and hosted quite a few shows. She also commentated on the iconic game in the 2007 World Cup when Ireland humbled Pakistan.
She was also the last reporter to take Bob Woolmer’s interview before his sudden death and was also a part of the broadcast team for England’s tour of India in 2008 during the Bombay terror attacks. Apart from cricket, she also has been a part of the Commonwealth Games and popular tennis tournaments like the French Open and the Australian Open.
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