Closer links sought between international women's and men's cricket

A meeting between new International Women's Cricket Council (IWCC) president Christine Brierley and the International Cricket Council's development manager Andrew Eade on Friday, could play a significant role in the future of women's cricket.

Brierley, who was elected to the IWCC board yesterday in place of retiring president Mary Brito of New Zealand, said there was a feeling in women's cricket that there were mutual benefits to both councils in working together to extend the influence of cricket.

Increasing the competition between countries, especially those who don't have the advantages of the regular competition enjoyed by the likes of Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa was also on the agenda of minor nations.

The proposed IWCC Trophy qualification tournament to decide the teams to compete in the available places at the next World Cup is possibly to be an expanded version of the existing European Cup competition.

While still in the discussion stage it is an option being considered. The next tournament is to be played in the Netherlands in 2003.

Other areas of interest include: working more closely with the ICC and adopting the ICC policy on illegal bowling, expanding the international calendar and developing the game for all member countries.

"I hope that when we meet as a Council in two years time that the IWCC will be able to report significant progress in increased competition, more support for regional coaching and above all a considerable injection of new funding," Brierley said.

The next World Cup will be played in South Africa and based in Cape Town with games played at various venues around the city.

Brierley brings a long career in women's cricket administration to the postion. She was president of the New South Wales Women's Association for several years. She was on the Australian Women's Cricket Board for eight years and manager of the Australian women's team from 1990-94.

She is on the board of Women's Sport Australia and is a New South Wales women's state selector.

Other members elected to the IWCC board were: Vice-president, Betty Timmer, (Netherlands); board members, Sreerupa Bose Mukherjee (India), Lynne O'Meara (Australia), Mary Sharp (Ireland).