Australian women's cricket captain Meg Lanning "will take a big step
into a male bastion this summer when she joins the Channel Nine
commentary team," according to Chloe Saltau of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Although women have been involved in cricket coverage in
presenting roles, "ball-by-ball commentary and special comments has been a
men's domain for Nine." Lanning, 22, will call alongside the likes of Mark
Taylor and Ian Chappell "for the domestic one-day tournament, the Matador
BBQs Cup, next month." If that goes well, Nine's plan "is for the
Southern Stars captain to commentate on the men's Twenty20 international
games between Australia and South Africa in November." Lanning said, "It's an exciting opportunity to do something a little bit different.
... I watch a lot of men's and women's cricket so I feel like I really
know the game and I've got a little bit to give there." The move "also enhances Lanning's reputation as a
groundbreaker." This year "she
became the youngest Australian, male or female, to captain her country
and led the side to a third consecutive World Twenty20 title in
Bangladesh." Nine Head of Sport Steve Crawley said, "Everyone asks about adding a female to commentary ... and I've
always been very aware that it will eventually happen, don't force it.
It's got to be right" (SMH, 9/3).
