Women Cricket to flourish under BCCI: Mithali

Dehradun, Nov, 4 (UNI) Indian Women Cricket skipper Mithali Raj said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) taking Women's cricket under its wing was the best thing that happened to it.

Ms Mithali, who is here to lead the Railways team against Uttar Pradesh in the Central Zone Senior Women Cricket Championship 2007, told reporters that the BCCI take over of women's cricket would boost the moral of the women players. "The players will definitely benefit from the facilities and remuneration that will be provided by the Board," she said.

Mithali however, added that the BCCI ought to narrow the difference between men and women. She maintained that skill wise women cricketers were at par with their male counterparts.

Mithali, who has recorded the highest individual score (214 against England) in test matches, told reporters that the women's team needed to strengthen their mental toughness as several matches were lost due to this shortcoming against equally matched rivals. She also emphasized on improving physical fitness.

"They should play strokes and score like men to attract more public attention towards women cricket," she said.

When asked whether she felt the need of separate coaches for batting, bowling and fielding for the women's team, the Indian captain said if a single coach was capable of providing coaching in all the aspects of the game, there was no need for separate coaches.

She also ruled out necessity of a woman coach for the women's team. "Gender of coach do not make difference as most of the girls are mostly coached by males from the beginning", she quipped.

Asked about the introduction of 20-20 matches for women, Mithali said it ought to begin from domestic cricket first. Describing Australia and New Zealand as close rivals of the Indian team, she said " To win the World Cup good preparation is necessary along with setting the target".

UNI