Lis Sthalekar, the former Australian cricketer, has slammed English commentator Geoffrey Boycott’s comments on only a former male cricketer can play an expert role in men’s Test match commentary.
Boycott has reasoned his exit to his health and COVID-19 as to why his contract was not renewed. He had told earlier that only a former male cricketer would have the experience enough to play an expert role in Test match commentary.
“You have to know the pressure, emotions and technique required and I do not believe you can learn that from reading a book or because you played club cricket, second XI cricket or, with great respect, women’s cricket. As good as the women are at their game, it bears no resemblance to the power and pace of men’s cricket,” he wrote in his London Telegraph column.
Sthalekar has lashed at his comments saying that playing the sport at the top level would help irrespective of whether it is a male or female sport. However, she said that Boycott’s comments about ‘power and pace’ does not make a strong point considering his slow batting style.
“It’s got nothing to do with power. The other thing as well, and this is for guys as women’s cricket is pretty cool and sexy at the moment, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, but we need to remember that we don’t need guys coming in asking women to compare it to men’s because it is not. It is different,” she said to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Sthalekar also added that though a similar argument could be held ground where the male commentators have never played Women’s cricket, she wouldn’t make it that way.
“Cricket is a sport literally for all shapes and sizes, for everyone, regardless of gender. Everyone loves the game so why can’t everyone share opinions on broadcasts that are from a diverse background, whether that be different countries, different genders, because that is what is happening in the living room when we are all watching and listening to the radio,” Sthalekar said.
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