Despite a record-breaking year for women’s cricket, England captain Heather Knight is fearful that the game may return to the shadows after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Over 86,000 packed the MCG in March as Australia retained their T20 World Cup crown, but Knight is hopeful that this is just the beginning.
Whilst there is no cricket being played in England and around the world at present, with both men and women suffering as a result, questions have been raised over the treatment given the women’s game when normal service resumes. With heavy losses forecasted, the men’s game is likely to be given precedence, as it remains cricket’s most commercially enticing entity.
Speaking to Sky Sports about this possibility, Knight said “"That's the worry in women's sport across the board, not just in cricket.”
"I'm sure there will be some impact as there is in many walks of life. That's just the way of society at the moment.
"But I'm hopeful that when we do get going again, the game won't be affected too much and hopefully people will really support it."
With the inaugural season of The Hundred almost certainly set to be postponed, the expansion and promotion of women’s cricket is likely to suffer as a result. Whilst this is obviously a back-step for the game, Knight recognises that priorities at the minute lie elsewhere.
"But I think the main priority is making sure everyone's safe and their families are safe,” she said.
“As long as that's the case, I think everyone would be keen to be adaptable and fit in to whatever way cricket can get back being played.”
There may be no cricket at all this summer, and people may have to wait till longer than next year to watch the world’s best do battle in The Hundred. Hopefully though, this year’s MCG epic has already done enough to inspire a generation, whenever the game does return.