Australia Women v West Indies Women

Watch: Australia team help ground staff bring on covers during women’s ODI rain delay

by Wisden Staff October 12, 2023 - 10:39am 5 minute read

Watch: Members of the Australia Women squad helped the ground staff put the covers on at during a rain break at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.

After winning the T20Is 2-1, Australia had gone one-up in the three-match Women’s ODI series as well. At the Allan Border Field, Brisbane, Kim Garth (3-8) and Ash Gardner (2-17) helped bowl out West Indies for 83 before their batters chased down the target inside 15 overs.

It rained before the second ODI, at the Junction Oval, got underway. The match was reduced to 29 overs a side. Having missed the first match, Hayley Matthews returned to lead the side, though Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to field.

Matthews (20) and Rashada Williams (23) added 34 for the opening stand in 31 balls, but the West Indies middle order caved in against Alana King (3-16) and Annabel Sutherland (3-6). Only Aaliyah Alleyne (28 not out) provided any resistance as the tourists crawled to 107-8 in 25.3 overs.

Then the rain returned. The ground staff tried to rush with the covers, but against the strong wind, they struggled to come even inside the boundary line. The Australian fielders sprung to their assistance by helping them to drag the covers in.

“One of the best sporting teams in the world, the best women’s team in the world out there, enhancing their reputations. This is such a likeable side,” quipped the commentator on air.

A commentator pointed out how late Scott Prestwidge and Dan Marsh, Australia’s assistant coaches, were late to come to the aid of the cricketers.

Playing her 100th ODI, Healy was wired in with the commentators while all this was going on. “Men! Seriously!” she responded.

The legendary Ellyse Perry was no stranger to any of this. During a 2021/22 match between New South Wales and Victoria at the same venue, cricketers from both sides did their best to help with covers. Perry flung herself on the tarpaulin, face down, amidst “ferocious winds”.

Here, the ODI was called off at this point, which gave Australia an unassailable lead. The third ODI will be played at the same venue on October 14.