15.10.2021,14:10 597 0

The ICC To Replace ‘Batsman’ With Gender-Neutral ‘Batter’

The ICC To Replace 'Batsman' With Gender-Neutral 'Batter' From T20 World Cup Onwards

ICC is all set to use the gender-neutral term “batter” instead of “batsman” in all its games. 

The men’s T20 World Cup 2021 is about to begin in October. The ICC has announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup 2021. But along with that, the association is all set to implement another change. They will be using the gender-neutral word “batter” in all its matches. They have admitted that the change seems natural and was long overdue.

The decision impacting all ICC cricket matches indicates a massive evolution in the sport. The ICC has been trying to do away with the word “batsman” for the last four years. It has been using the word batter in commentary as well as all the channels of the organisation. The organisation wholeheartedly welcomes the decision to use the gender-neutral word “batter.”

<

Statement Of Geoff Allardice, The Acting CEO Of ICC

The acting CEO declared that ICC happily accepted the change and was set to incorporate it into cricket laws. Now, batters will sound as gender-neutral as bowlers, wicket-keepers and fielders. It might be a small change but very significant for the game. Cricket will be viewed as a more inclusive sport due to the new change.

Allardice agreed that simply a change in the language could not make the sport grow. But it would definitely have some impact. The change would encourage girls to play cricket as much as our boys are. The goal is to allow both girls and boys to view cricket as a fun and interesting sport.

<

Lisa Sthalekar’s Viewpoint

Lisa Sthalekar has been a star of the Australian women’s cricket team. She said that she had been unaware as a child that women played cricket. Her interest in the game gradually took over her, resulting in her becoming one of the finest women cricketers. She also made her way into commentary.

Lisa Sthalekar always stuck to the term “batter” when she was behind the microphone. A co-star made fun of her, saying that the term “batter” seemed more suitable for fish. But her logic was simple. She said that if no one used the term “fieldsman”, then why couldn’t the same logic be applied for batsmen.

If a gender-neutral term can be used to describe someone wielding a piece of wood on the field, then why not use it. Sthalekar is quite happy that the ICC and MCC have taken this initiative. However, she is also aware that the term “batsman” will not go out of use completely. It will still be used by the media on multiple occasions. She sees it as a habit, and it will take a lot of time to get rid of it.

But she has her hopes high and thinks that “batter” will soon become the norm after repeated use. She believes that the change will ensure that the upcoming generations are engaging well with the game of cricket. She believes that the change is like a “common-sense change.” Moreover, the change will ensure that 50 percent of the population feels excluded due to poor language choice.

<

Final Thoughts

The change has attracted criticism from many people. However, there has also been a huge number of those that accepted the change with wide arms. Let us see if the new approach of the ICC is able to transform people’s perception of cricket as a masculine sport.

Liked? Share:
0   voted
Similar articles
Pak vs WI Sarfaraz and Shoaib Malik Are Dropped; Hasan Ali Gets a Much-Needed Rest
Pak vs WI: Sarfaraz and Shoaib Malik Are Dropped
Read more

Pakistan will host West Indies for a 3-match T20I series that will be played in Karachi with the first match scheduled on 13th December 2021. For the same, a 15-man squad was announced by the Pakistan selectors this Thursday, and the selection raised a lot of questions amongst cricket enthusiasts and fans. Players like Imad […]

English Quick Mills off to BBL for Scorchers Stint
English Quick Mills off to BBL for Scorchers Stint
Read more

Yorkshire-born fast bowler Tymal Mills will be joining the Perth Scorchers squad for this year’s Big Bash League. The Scorchers, who were runners-up in the competition last year, secured the 29-year-old pacer following the injury of another Englishman Brydon Carse, who will be outright unable to take part in the tournament. Perth Scorchers coach Adam […]

Unbridled Umran From Scouted Nobody to Hot New Prospect
Unbridled Umran: From Scouted Nobody to Hot New Prospect
Read more

If you’ve been in touch with Indian cricket over the last 3 months, you have undoubtedly heard the name Umran Malik. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, the fast bowler rocked the cricketing world when his meteor-like delivery clocked in at 152.95 km/h in the Indian Premier League, giving him the record for fastest-ever delivery bowled […]

Wadia Confirms Flower Departure
Wadia Confirms Flower Departure
Read more

Coaches Andy Flower and Trevor Bayliss have quit their positions at their respective franchises, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The duo, both of whom have coached England in the past, have been offered positions by the newly-formed Lucknow franchise ahead of IPL 2022. Wadia Confirms Flower Departure Ness Wadia, co-owner of Punjab Kings, revealed to […]

Klusener Chooses to Forego Contract Extension with Afghanistan
Klusener Chooses to Forego Contract Extension with Afghanistan
Read more

Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener has chosen against the renewal of his contract as Afghanistan head coach. Klusener’s tenure ends on the last day of the year after over 2 years in charge, after having taken the job following the exit of former West Indies international Phil Simmons following the 2019 ODI World Cup. […]

Omicron Compels UAE, Oman to Quit CWCL2 Tri-Series
Omicron Compels UAE, Oman to Quit CWCL2 Tri-Series
Read more

The Oman and UAE squads have quit the CWC League 2 trilateral ODI cricket series in Windhoek, Namibia, midway in the wake of an outbreak of Omicron in Southern Africa. At cric-life.com, we have learned that hosts Namibia were forced to call off the rest of the competition after travel restrictions were imposed by many […]