Fans and Queensland embrace cricket opportunity to spread cheer

The 2021 tour of the Indian women’s cricket team to Australia is a timely and a great opportunity to build sports engagements further and create a more conducive atmosphere for the larger Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Sport has a key role to play is shaping perceptions on both sides, and together, both sides can leverage this sector to create a better future for bilateral ties.

The India versus Australia Women’s International Cricket Series 2021 kickstarted in an impressive manner in Mackay on the 21st of September. Queensland has embraced the opportunity of hosting the series with both hands, after Victoria and New South Wales were ruled out as the venues for the series, due to the Covid-outbreak and extended lockdowns in the states. The three one-day internationals in Mackay were all sold out events which demonstrates how eager the fans are in going out to have some fun, especially in regional Queensland, amidst continued Covid-19 battering in other states. However, Queensland too,has currently recorded new cases of covid which may result in a lockdown, and make the remainder of the matches crowd less events, which will be a shame. But such is the uncertain nature of the affairs we all live in in the present times.

The first game in Mackay saw Australia beat India with a huge margin on the 21st, but India came back strong and gave a tough fight to the hosts on the 24thin the day and night game. The drama of the last ball being declared a no ball generated a lot of controversy and debate over its merit, but in the end Australia managed cross the line. Nevertheless, the fight up put up by both sides in the second match is a potent reminder of the quality of the contest that both the top sides in international cricket deliver for the fans to cherish.

Then, on the 26th, seething from a narrow defeat in the second game, saw India firing all cylinders and beating Australia in another nail-biter in the last over, with the veteran Jhulan Goswami hitting the winning runs much to the joy of her teammates and Indian fans on the ground.

For making the matches in Mackay such a grand spectacle, the Mackay Cricket Association, the Great Barrier Reef Arena and Queensland Cricket deserve a special appreciation for making the ground ready for matches and in such a short notice. The facilities and ground conditions would make any top cricketing venues in the world proud, for which the ground staff, Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia deserve our commendations.

Also, institutions like the Australia India Business Council, Institute for Australia India Engagement and media partner India News also deserve praise for creating a buzz around the matches and publicizing it for the local, national and 1.3 billion fans in India. The series is being very keenly followed by cricket tragics and has generated immense positivity in bilateral relations at a time when Australia India Comprehensive Partnership is witnessing a major upswing.

As the two teams prepare for the one-off test match and three T20s at the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast, the fans on both sides can be assured of an entertaining summer of cricket. Thanks to our women in Blue, and in Green and Gold, for enduring the pains of the covid bubble and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted entertainment for all. As our women take so much trouble in spreading cheer, supported by the State government, we all as fans must play our part in extending all the necessary support and gratitude to our champion women cricketers.