It’s been well publicised that Mali Women were dismissed for the lowest ever T20I total last week… 4 all out against Rwanda!
What some of you may have missed is that they followed that up with 11 all out against Tanzania the following day then 10 all out against Uganda the next. That’s 25-30 then!
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/Ci/content/records/283168.html
They made 30-9 against Rwanda again yesterday mind…
So things are on the up!
This of course has brought into question the validity of the records being set and T20I statistics in general. I’ve heavily promoted my proposed structure of international cricket, one that would currently see a team such as Mali not hold full international status but have the right to earn it. Teams such as England would currently have full international status but could lose it. That’s meritocracy in sport (Hey Manchester City Women’s football team… meritocracy!).
https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/womens/team-rankings/t20i
As it stands, all international women’s teams have full status. I’m a big believer in being better for gaining experience. Mali will improve and I look forward to hearing about it. I’m not a fan of the idea of picking and choosing statistics. Cricket should be a global game and whilst this may have been a chastening experience for the Malians they will be better for it. International sport should be ruthless. That is how the best help the weaker sides improve and therefore create competition. Don’t get me started on critics of the USA Women’s football (Soccer!) team. for their celebrations against Thailand. Anybody who has a problem with that is not someone who should be allowed anywhere near competitive sport. Even if it’s the absolute doldrums of the village cricket circuit, I don’t ever want anybody taking it easy on me!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali_women%27s_national_cricket_team