Day 49: Exciting times to come

At 10 am this moment, the notifications on my phone went crazy. It was the regional centres announcing their fixtures for the coming season. It was unexpected but welcome news. It’s one of those times when you get a little giddy and start planning where you want to be. Even though there is a sceptical voice at the back of your head that says this might not happen.

I know I was lucky to be present at a few games last year. I think we all yearn for crowds to be at the grounds. Sport thrives on spectators, friendly or fierce.

Anyway, the women’s domestic season is starting to shape. County T20 cricket will start the proceedings at the end of April. Before returning, Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy returns, the eight regional sides playing each other once.

With the Hundred yet to be announced, there is a clear gap in the schedule for it. The new regional T20 competition kicks into gear at the end of August, with a finals day on the 5^th of September.

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy then rounds off the season. Then there will be England international games to fit in as well. It is all set to be an action-packed season.

Announced around the same time was that Scotland’s women are to get their first full-time coach in Mark Coles. The former Pakistan head coach has a lot of experience in women’s international cricket. What he did for Pakistan was remarkable, and they are a more organised set-up.

It shows some serious investment on Cricket Scotland’s part. An associate nation Scotland that is on the verge of closing the gap with the full member nations and the top associate nations. Scotland faces a number of qualifying tournaments in a short space of time. They have the players to take them forward; both Sarah and Kathryne Bryce are getting professional experience Lightning and joined in the Hundred by Abtaha Maqsood.

In Ireland and Netherlands, Scotland knows they will face some quality competition to get anywhere near either of the upcoming World Cups. Then there is the matter of the Commonwealth games at Edgbaston next year.

It is promising to be a big year for the women’s game. Let us hope it goes ahead as planned.