da bwin： You would think the publicists would be happy to promote the women’s Ashes. Apparently not
da wazamba： Jenny Thompson10-Aug-2005
Advertising the product – but it was the only poster in evidence, and even then it was inside the ground! © Cricinfo
Few people know that the women’s Ashes is on at the moment, so you would think the publicists would be happy with any kind of leg-up they could get to promote the series. Apparently not. Access to the England men’s team is jealously guarded, but understandably so – everyonewants a piece of them, media and fans alike – and at least they are made available to the media after an important day’s play.But when a big story broke in women’s cricket at Hoveyesterday the star of the show, 15-year-old debutanteHolly Colvin who took three wickets, was banned fromtalking to the media. The official reason given wasthat she would be “too tired” after a long day in thefield. Where is the sense in this? For once the poor littlesister, women’s cricket, had the chance to shineproudly alongside her big brother, but Cinderella waskept away from the ball.All sports compete for press coverage, and football isusually the winner. But the men’s game in theascendancy with Ashes fever sweeping the nation – match even knocked football off the backpages and planted cricket on the front. So interestedhas the country been in cricket’s revival that most ofthe broadsheets sent a journalist to Hove yesterday togive women’s cricket some valuable exposure. even went so far as to plant Colvin on thefront of the paper – what great exposure – but their journalist, Sarah Potter, had to make do with quotes from England’s head coach and Holly’s mum.
Packing them in at Hove © Cricinfo
To date, the ECB have been doing a fine PR job: thisseries was launched on the London Eye, and there wereplenty of tv crew at the ground. The media interestreflects the increasingly professional nature of thewomen’s game, boosted greatly by the ECB’s involvementsince its merger with the WCA. The Tests at Hove andWorcester are npower-sponsored, Sky are covering someof the one-dayers and the women are technically morecorrect, and better athletes than ever, thanks topersonalised coaching.But it is clear that much still needs to be done topromote the game. The only poster in the entirety ofHove which advertises the match is tucked away withinthe ground, but the real error was in keeping Colvinaway from an interested media.