Scandals: Not cricket

The "hallowed turf'' of Sydney's private school cricket pitches is under attack, according to an anonymous email circulating to current and former students of the co-ed Barker College on Sydney's upper north shore. The reason for the stoush was the selection earlier this month of a female wicketkeeper, Alyssa Healy, for the school's 1st x11 cricket team. The niece of former Australian wicketkeeper, Ian Healy, the 16-year-old is the first girl to play in the elite private CAS cricket competition. According to the college sportsmaster Matthew Macoustra, the school community has been very supportive of Alyssa's selection, although there seems to be one "spineless, gutless person who obviously has a problem.''

We received the mystery email, entitled "Save Barker Cricket Now'', which labels Alyssa's selection as "disgraceful'' and a "travesty'' and demands girls play for girls teams. "Clearly this is an attack that cannot be accepted,'' it states. According to Macoustra, Alyssa earned her place in the team. "Whoever the person is, they have sent this email under the auspices of crusading for the school, yet they don't even put their name to it.''

Source - Sydney Morning Herald

I dont think that guys and girls can play together in all sports but cricket is a non contact sport. It is mostly based on skill. Girls can be as talented or even better and if they deserve their place then they should be there. One day I hope to see women play in the national Australian cricket side too. Go the girls!!!

Well first of all what a pathetic attempt by the ‘old boys’ to embarrass Heal’s neice in order for her to be dropped. Maybe cricket talent runs through the Healy blood and therefore its no wonder she is a decent player as was her uncle. I agree with what you say Yiota, as some of our female cricketers do not get the exposure they need (after all they are the best in the world).

If the girls got talent why not play with theboys? maybe theres no girls team for her to play on.
But, i do belive that not all sports can be played in mixed teams, for obvious reasons, such as strength of boys v Girls in contact sports such as football or ever soccer.
I think Cricket is fine for a girl to be playing on a team if shes got the skill and talent, and was chosen why not?
I know a girl who plays golf in a mens tournament and shes won quite a few tournaments. Its just that the Club selected her to represent them.

Girls playing cricket is fine if they're good enough. It just so happens that as with all sports, they aren't. Look at the womens cricket teams for God's sake, they're terrible. Don't get me STARTED on football and AFL

obviously for the girl to be picked for the team she was good enough. but i agree with the rest of your post niko.

if they weren't good enough mate, then it would be just a big joke

simple, girls r inferior

Well.... it is

we're just going to ignore that point ok? good.


im against mixed sports! they serve no purpose at all. such a waste of time really. let's not kid ourselves. same sex sports are way more enjoyable then mixed sports.

Can u imagine rugby and afl as mixed sports! instead of watching the actual sport we're going to be surrounded and have to see the endless and useless orgies because she/he was holding the bal and then we're goign to have some1 come out and proclaim sexual assault!

i think its better wen girls play with guys they develop better skills! its a tougher comp and we step up to it. plus girls only competition u get all the bitchiness that comes with being a girl where as ull play with the blokes theyll beat each other up and then get over it and continue playing..

pat i played girls soccer for a year then played with boys for 2... you learn far more playing mixed.. you sure do learn how to take a bashing and not cry cause they will say "typical girl"

But at the end of the day coaches official etc sympathise less to girls on boys teams... for fun little scratch matches its ok.. but playing club.. i think mix is not to good.. from experience.. funny but not good haha

Exactly