5 women cricketers who play like their male counterparts

Although it is no less exciting in terms of competition, women’s cricket is nowhere near men’s cricket when it comes to publicity and popularity. While the men’s game is broadcasted on three-four channels, in three-four languages in one country, women’s cricket is played in empty stadiums with no coverage whatsoever.

Even at the World Cup, most of the matches played were not telecasted. Few had the luxury of a television umpire and DRS. However, when you actually watch a game in women’s cricket, you would be surprised by the level of competition.

Some of the women cricketers are, in fact, so good that they remind me of some of the legends in men’s cricket. The way they bat, bowl or field are reminiscent to those of their counterparts in the men’s game. On that note, here are five of them.

Disclaimer: This article is by no means intended to compare female cricketers with male cricketers.

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#5 Marizanne Kapp and Shaun Tait

South Africa are said to possess the fiercest fast bowling attack in the world when it comes to women’s cricket and Marizanne Kapp, the number one ODI bowler, leads that attack. While Shaun Tait was never the number one bowler, Kapp has a lot of qualities that are very similar to the former Australian quick.

First up, Kapp’s bustling run-up, slingy action and late outswing are all reminiscent of Tait’s fiery bowling. Of course, she is very fast, like Tait. Moreover, both the bowlers tend to bowl a lot of extras (in wides) as they sway in line often, something that they compensate with their pace.

Perhaps, the only difference between the two players is that Kapp is a quite capable lower order batter and that she remains mostly injury-free through the year and plays on a consistent basis – something that Tait could never provide.

#4 Dane van Niekerk and Shane Warne

Dane van Niekerk is all too similar to Shane Warne

South African women’s team captain Dane van Niekerk – with her easy flowing action, unprecedented success at the top-most level and captivating personality – is all too similar to legendary Australian leg spinner Shane Warne.

When you look at van Niekerk running in to bowl, that insignificant jump, that almost deceptively lethargic action, that twinkle in the eye – everything reminds of Warne. She has the ability to churn out an entire array of deliveries without any change of action or release point, again, like Warne.

Moreover, if her leg spin weren't enough for the opposition team to contend with, van Niekerk is known for playing dogged Warne-like knocks in the lower middle order. She is also a brilliant captain both on and off the pitch, something that Warne showed he was very much capable of.

#3 Smriti Mandhana and Sourav Ganguly

Mandhana is very strong on the off-side, like Ganguly

According to her childhood coach, Smriti Mandhana used to copy Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara as a youngster. But if there is one male player that she reminds me of, then, he is none other than former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

Being right-handers who are left-handed batters, both are very strong on the off-side. Like Ganguly, Mandhana will elegantly cut anything short and with a hint of width through the gap between point and backward point, and, will poke at that one which is swinging away and guide it to third man to steal a single.

If the ball is short and directed straight, both will go for that unconvincing pull that might or might not be rewarding. Also, while we are still talking about similarities between Mandhana and Ganguly, it should be noted that both require glasses off the pitch.

#2 Meg Lanning and Michael Clarke

At an aesthetic level, Lanning's closest parallel is probably Michael Clarke

"Ricky Ponting was my hero growing up. I love the way he batted and took the game on a lot. I'd mimic him in the backyard," Meg Lanning had once said. She may try to mimic Ponting in the middle but at an aesthetic level, the closest parallel to her is probably Michael Clarke.

Over the years, Lanning has morphed herself from a promising youngster to a world-class cricketer. There is an unnerving serenity to her when she is batting. All her strokes are carefully measured, and yet, intensely powerful. In addition, Lanning is a brilliant fielder and a well-respected captain.

Essentially, she has Clarke’s unflappable temperament, his watchful cover drives, his tactical nous and his natural gravitas. At their best, both Lanning and Clarke are a one-woman/man force-field – impenetrable, inscrutable, unknowable.

#1 Harmanpreet Kaur and Yuvraj Singh

Harmanpreet's high backlift, extensive follow-through and destructiveness are similar to those of Yuvraj

A lot has been said and written about Harmanpreet Kaur’s destructiveness that laid the foundation for India to canter home versus Australia in the World Cup semi-final. Many have ended up comparing her knock with that of Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup.

However, for me, she was more reminiscent of one other Indian star player who goes by the name of Yuvraj Singh. That high back-lift, that extensive follow-through and that raw destruction that comes next – both Harmanpreet and Yuvraj are made of the same mould.

Both take some time to settle down and get the feel of the pitch before letting go, both prefer the midwicket region. There is no mechanical tinge to either of the two’s batting, it is as free-flowing as it gets. And to add to all of these, both Harmanpreet and Yuvraj are big-match players.