This was supposed to be a big year for women’s cricket in this country.
The start of the women’s Hundred; eight new regional teams; 25 domestic women cricketers being able to earn a full-time wage for the first time; and England playing against two strong opponents in preparation for their defence of the 50-over World Cup.
The year started spectacularly with a record crowd of 86,000 watching the women’s T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. And then nothing. Everything stopped.
But there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. West Indies will tour the UK for five T20 matches next month, and today sees the start of the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint trophy – a 50-over competition played between eight new regional