Kolkata: Five months after 86,000 fans watched the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Melbourne Cricket Ground between India and Australia, the Seebarn Ground to the north of Vienna on Wednesday, had the honour of welcoming the women’s game with a Germany’s tour to Austria.
While men’s cricket resumed with England hosting West Indies in Tests last month, this is the first time women’s cricket returned after the huge break. Although Austria have already lost the five-match series 0-3, the resumption of the sport has brought a smile to many around the world.
Women’s international cricket returns today for the first time since the final of the ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup as Austria host Germany for a five-match T20I series.
Details 👉 https://t.co/JnhhKPiN9x pic.twitter.com/8Uiqtg7Rlm
— ICC (@ICC) August 12, 2020
Known as the Golden Eagles, Germany ranked 27th in the world, produced some stellar performances in all the three matches coupled with some fantastic records. While Austria lost the series opener by 82 runs, the second game saw Germanys’ Janet Ronalds scoring an unbeaten 105 and Emma Bargna’s 5/9 in four overs — both firsts for Germany in T20Is across genders. Austria lost the game by 138 runs.
Today’s records for the @GoldenEagles_DE and German cricket in T20is (male or female)
✔️first ever century – Janet Ronalds ✔️first ever 5 wkt haul – Emma Bargna ✔️first ever hat-trick – Anne Bierwisch #justoneday 🏏🇩🇪🦅— Cricket Germany 🏏 (@Cricket_Germany) August 13, 2020
In the third game, Germany defeated the hosts by 10 wickets to clinch the series. Austria was playing for the first time since their quadrangular series a year ago against France, Jersey and Norway. “The girls have worked hard in the last few months to stay fit and to up their skills,” said Germany captain Anuradha Doddaballapur.
“Some teams could not take part in this tournament due to travel restrictions, but we are happy those restrictions have been eased between Austria and Germany and we are able to get some international cricket this year,” Austria skipper Andrea Mae Zepeda said.
