Women’s Cricket has taken a giant leap after the 2017 Women’s World Cup. Despite breaking records and performing well over the years, they have never got the recognition they deserve. However, things have been changing in recent times. Recently, a group of young cricket fans, who were at the Eden Park on Sunday, applauded Sophie Devine and commented on his stunning knock.
Young cricket fans attended a game between Wellington Firebirds and Auckland Aces in the Twenty20 Super Smash and emerged victorious on the back of Finn Allen’s swashbuckling 75-run knock off only 33 balls. However, more than the knock, a fan’s comment became viral.
Michelle Prendiville of 1 NEWS has shared a video of her interaction with the fans on Twitter. When Prendiville asked them what they thought of Allen’s innings, they referred to it as “amazing.” But, one fan’s comment won everyone’s hearts on Twitter. “Not better than Sophie Devine but still pretty good,” he said, referring to the record-breaking knock 108 off 38 balls by Sophie Devine last month in the Women’s Super Smash.
“This little dude knows his stuff! What a testament to the Women’s game,” wrote Prendiville, while sharing the post.
This little dude knows his stuff! What a testament to the Women's game 👏👏
Finn Allen's *73 off 35 balls "not better than Sophie Devine, but still pretty good!" @1NewsSportNZ @cricketwgtninc pic.twitter.com/sgX8bLa3ru— Michelle Prendiville (@michelleprendi) February 7, 2021
Notably, on January 14, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, smashed the fastest century in women’s Twenty20 history while playing for Wellington Blaze. She took only 36 balls to reach the target. Earlier, it was Deandra Dottin, who did it by 38 balls for West Indies in 2010.
Soon after the post, everyone started praising the young fan, including the cricketer, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine herself. She quoted the tweet and wrote: “Absolutely love this! Female athletes don’t just want to inspire young girls but young boys and men too 💪 let’s get this young man @WHITE_FERNS top!!”
Absolutely love this! Female athletes don’t just want to inspire young girls but young boys and men too 💪 let’s get this young man a @WHITE_FERNS top!! https://t.co/nbLCgB41rB
— Sophie Devine (@sophdevine77) February 8, 2021
Soon after the post, many, including players, have shared the post with comments as well. Meanwhile, the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League wrote “This is brilliant” on their official handle.
This is brilliant 🙌
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) February 8, 2021
On the other hand, while sharing the post on Twitter, Alice Soper, who plays for Wellington Rugby shared that the young boy’s comment shows the growth of Women’s sport. “A special good evening to my wee mate on @TVNZ news who when interviewed about a cricketer said ‘He’s pretty good but not as good as Sophie Devine,’ you are my hero,” he wrote.
“That’s a little boy, surrounded by other boys, talking about how a woman is better than a bloke at sport. That’s how I know we going to be alright in the end and why I’m going to keep cracking on for women’s rugby,” he again shared.
A special good evening to my wee mate on @TVNZ news who when interviewed about a cricketer said “He’s pretty good but not as good as Sophie Devine.”
You are my hero.— Alice Soper (@alicesoapbox) February 7, 2021
That's a little boy, surrounded by other boys, talking about how a woman is better than a bloke at sport.
That's how I know we going to be alright in the end and why I'm going to keep cracking on for women's rugby.
— Alice Soper (@alicesoapbox) February 7, 2021
Here is how Twitterati reacted:
This kid is a superstar 🙌🏾 https://t.co/1ml1bstouu
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) February 8, 2021
The first target for The Hundred Women's Competition is not to match the WBBL, but to reach the level and quality of coverage seen for the NZ Super Smash.
Have really enjoyed being able to follow the tournament in greater depth this year.#SuperSmashNZ https://t.co/I2aTaoIF2U
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) February 8, 2021
Love this!#inspire #femalerolemodels https://t.co/TM5Q5gBjE0
— Dr. Anuradha Doddaballapur (@Anuradha_D_18) February 8, 2021
A lot of kids love sport, and those who do hero worship players on the big stage. And unless/until their minds are polluted by adults with poison they don’t care about gender, race or anything else. They just see hero’s doing great things. Simple as that. https://t.co/1xqbpADqYE
— BNEShrimper (@BNEShrimper) February 8, 2021
I adore this. https://t.co/HWRR1l79Pc
— Raf Nicholson (@RafNicholson) February 8, 2021
This is lovely evidence that New Zealand Cricket’s ambition to make: “Cricket a game for all New Zealanders” is working. Gender immaterial – just a love & appreciation of the game, its players, its stats, its inspiration. Well done @WHITE_FERNS , @BLACKCAPS & @cricketwgtninc 👏 https://t.co/tiycbC20I7
— Clare Connor (@ConnorCricket) February 8, 2021
I wonder how many girls AND boys @sophdevine77 will inspire in @thehundred this summer? Visibility matters. Normalising cricket as a sport for men & women, boys & girls. This is great 👇 https://t.co/no4Yv12Ew0
— Beth Barrett-Wild (@BethWild7) February 8, 2021
This is GOLD@sophdevine77 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 https://t.co/TIydNKmXZS
— Urooj Mumtaz Khan (@uroojmumtazkhan) February 8, 2021
Some wholesome, "representation matters" content for your Monday morning https://t.co/7aN3b3Xvws
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) February 8, 2021
You don't HAVE to be a woman to support and enjoy women's sport 🙌🏾 https://t.co/cdQn87DyA7
— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) February 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/andrewfalloon/status/1358668495597170688?s=20
