Harmanpreet Kaur of India advocates for a points system in multi-format series
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has advocated for a points system in multi-format series, such as the upcoming one against South Africa, which includes three ODIs, one Test, and three T20Is.
Currently, the Women’s Ashes uses a multi-format points system, awarding four points for a Test win, two for a draw, and two for winning a limited-overs match.
This system, introduced in 2013, has successfully kept all formats relevant.
“I think it’s totally a BCCI or an ICC thing [to decide], but as a player, if these things are there, we are more into the game, you know, and we are more pumped up,” Harmanpreet said ahead of the first ODI against South Africa in Bengaluru.
“If the points system is there, it will be more challenging.”
This series also refocuses on ODIs, with India hosting a World Cup next year.
Since September 2022, India has only played six ODIs, due to the focus on the 2023 T20 World Cup and the upcoming 2024 edition.
However, with the one-day World Cup approaching, the 50-overs format will regain prominence.
On adjusting to 100 overs of cricket, Harmanpreet said, “We take it as an opportunity.
Nowadays we are playing more T20 games, but ODIs are something that as a player, you have more time to assess yourself and even the conditions.
It’s good for us that we are getting more matches to express ourselves.
“It’s good for us that we are getting more time in the middle and getting to play all three formats.”
Harmanpreet confirmed that Pooja Vastrakar and Jemimah Rodrigues are fit for selection, and Richa Ghosh will keep wickets in the absence of the injured Yastika Bhatia.
The India captain also welcomed back Priya Punia and Arundhati Reddy to the national squad.
“My message to them is very clear.
Even though they were not in the side, they were performers in domestic cricket.
We noted the way they have been performing for the past 2-3 years and we gave them enough time to prove themselves again and get ready for international games.
We are very happy with the way Arundhati played in WPL in the last two seasons, and Priya also performed well in domestic cricket, especially in the ODI format, and she’s someone who’s been scoring for a long time.
“As a team, it’s great to have them back.
They are great players and the team is quite balanced.
Really happy and now looking forward to it.
I hope they will do well in international cricket also.”
SA captain promises positive brand of cricket
Laura Wolvaardt, the South African captain, stated that her batters are eager to play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the three-match ODI series starting on Sunday.
She suggested they will play an aggressive brand of cricket.
“In the WPL (Women’s Premier League) a lot of the games here were quite high-scoring,” Wolvaardt said on Saturday.
“Our batters will definitely be licking their lips to get onto that surface tomorrow.
It’s just about being nice and positive, and playing a brave, aggressive brand of cricket.
“Either way, no matter which way the toss goes, we’ve seen in the WPL that the Indian girls are playing a very positive brand of cricket.
So we’re going to have to try and match that.”
South Africa has won 12 out of the 28 ODIs they have played against India, with their last encounter resulting in a dramatic three-wicket win in New Zealand over two years ago.
However, South Africa’s recent form has been inconsistent.
Plagued with injuries, retirements, and indifferent form, South Africa was swept by Pakistan in the T20I series late last year before winning the ODI series 2-1.
This was followed by a tour to Australia where they lost both the ODI and T20I series by 2-1 margins.
They then lost the T20I series 2-1 to Sri Lanka at home before ending the ODI series 1-1.
In the last two games of the series, Wolvaardt scored a couple of centuries but has had limited game time since.
“I had a bit of a break.
I was kind of upset when the season ended after that because I wanted to keep going after having finally found some form.
But it’s totally different conditions.
Those were all back in South Africa.
(The aim is) just to completely start again having had a bit of time at home as well just to reset.
I’m excited for the game.”
Heading into the three-match series, South Africa has 23 points in 18 games and is third on the ICC Women’s Championship table.
Wolvaardt is confident in her team’s preparation and believes they will put up a strong performance.
“We’re confident.
We’ve done a lot of preparation and a lot of hard work coming into this.
So that’s sort of what we need to back.
We need to back the work that we’ve done and hope that it’s enough.
It’s no secret that India is a really good side at the moment but I do believe that we have a very talented side as well.
Hopefully, we’re able to find that consistency within the series,” she said.
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