When the name Brazil comes up. There are three things which comes to mind. The beautiful beaches, Venga Boys famous song of the 1990’s and the perennial powerhouses in football. The names of Pele, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Neymar have captured the imagination of many. Brazil is also known for sports like Volleyball and have had their presence in tennis and Formula 1. Off late Cricket is gripping the imagination of the people. The torch bearers of change aren’t the men, it’s the women who are driving the revolution and bringing cricket forward.
Cricket slowly making its presence felt –
Brazil is to football what Australia is to cricket. The Brazilians are known for their artistic style of play. This has led them to win multiple World Cup titles. They have also created players who are known for generations. Cricket as a sport isn’t played beyond a few countries. Brazil as a nation doesn’t have much presentation in cricket. But things are changing now, women’s cricket in Brazil is picking up and slowly becoming a sport which is being played by many.
Introduction at an unfamiliar stage –
The year was 2010. When 24 children from unprivileged circumstances had a chance to hold the bat and ball. Within 11 years over 5000 kids now play the sport, mostly by girls. The popularity is such that now many schools are teaching the to play the game. The Cricket Brazil board has created a programme to make sure more and more kids get familiarized with the sport.
A dream in sight –
With the popularity and craze catching up with the people of Brazil, it wont be long before we see them in an ICC tournament. The women though have one aim, the want to play in the Women’s world cup. The world cup is supposed to be held in South Africa in 2023. It is after a long time South Africa is hosting a global event and the Brazilian would be make it doubly sweet if they can play the tournament and realize their dream.
Already making strides –
If one thinks that Brazilians women’s team are a bunch of amateurs who are aiming big think again. These women have won the ICC South American Women’s championship. They won this event 4 times in all of the 5 times it has been held so far. According to captain Roberta Moretti Avery the dreams of the Brazilian women cricketers are huge. She said “we want to be the next Thailand, rise up the ladder despite being a non -traditional cricket country. Everything we are doing currently are steps towards the first goal: South Africa 2023” the Brazilian women are ranked 27th in the world. They next play the qualifiers against fellow South American rivals Argentina, as well as USA and Canada. If Brazil win, they will progress to the global event qualifiers which will be an eight-team event.
The English influence in Brazilian cricket –
Former Kent Cricketer Matt Featherstone might be a name no one must have heard about. The 50-year-old has played half a dozen games for Kent and scored a century in List A cricket. He now is the president of Cricket Brazil and driving about the change. Featherstone speaks about where it all began and said “We started at an orphanage and from there on cricket has grown swiftly across the country. Cricket has literally transformed the lives of these kids, many of whom are underprivileged. It has provided them a pathway to finish schooling, attend university, access the country’s top facilities and build a future in the game”.The efforts of Featherstone seems to be bearing fruit. The popularity seems to be improving and so is the appeal amongst the youngsters.
Cricket changing the lives of many –
The Brazilian skipper Roberta Moretti Avery is 36 years old and has played 10 T20 games for her country. She has scored 150 runs with one half century. She has also picked 15 wickets with her best bowling figures being 3 wickets for 1 run. According to Avery she had stayed for 7 years in England but it was in Brazil where she fell in love with the game. It came from her husband who is crazy about the sport. Avery is not only the national captain but also a coach with Cricket Brazil. The headquarters of Cricket Brazil is based in Pocos De Caldas. The mayor of the town is proud when he says the kids of the town play cricket more than their national obsession which is football. According to Avery most of the interest for cricket is amongst women. “Much of the interest comes from women. There is a belief now that you don’t need to be a footballer to be looked at as a professional sportsperson in the country. Now they see this new game and wonder ‘Hey maybe I can be the first few to lead the way’ that change in mindset over the years has been wonderful to see”
More backers coming up to help –
The growth in Brazilian cricket is also down to the efforts of the government. The Brazilian government has taken upon itself to open its coffers and fund the game. After seeing the massive improvement there are sponsors who are showing active interest in being part of the revolution. Lord’s Taverners who are into cricket related charity too are doing their bit to help. The Taverners are sending equipments, gear for training, playing kit and many more. Featherstone says “it was the largest ever donation of recycled kits. You can see people walking around in Stuart Broad or James Anderson jerseys here. Maybe even Craig Overton or James Tredwell, jerseys you may not even see in England”
The need for local flavor –
Matt Featherstone has been investing a lot of time in Cricket Brazil and he wants more local participation as far as coaching is concerned. The president of Cricket Brazil said “we thought of one of the ways to use the funding was to invest in local coaches. When coaches come from outside. They spend a year or two to getting to know the system and when they are at take off point, they go home or move on to other opportunities and it leaves a void. So, we thought if we can get Brazilians living here to do the job. It will be a massive boost” infact the need for local flavor even in kit and equipment making is needed. Cricket Brazil is trying to educate the locals about the game. The on-field umpires, match scorers, kit makers and even ground staff. Since they do not have a ground staff, they do not play on proper pitches, they use the Astro turf to hone their skills. Even carpenters who come from localized Brazilian areas are roped into make cricket bats.
Financial security for the players in times of COVID–
It is no secret that Brazil is dominated by football, every move of Neymar is looked at with interest. With cricket on the rise the players too need a safety net as far as money is concerned. After coronavirus the money comes at a premium for even the bigger cricketing nations. Brazil though seems to be wary of this and hasn’t let it affect the players. The players are being paid enough which can keep them motivated and sustained during such tough times we live in.
New generation clued in to cricket –
With cricket gaining popularity, there are several little girls under the age of 20 who are getting drawn to the sport. There are few examples of girls leaving other sports primarily football to make a name for themselves in cricket. One of girls was quoted saying “Cricket is like a home for me, where I can go to relax and do something I like. It like a refuge” there are many such youngsters who have found their calling in cricket. The simple game between bat and ball has given many Brazilian girls new purpose and aim in life.
Adding the Brazilian flavor –
Taco for many might be a Mexican food, but in Brazil it is a form of street cricket. And Taco is where the Brazilian women are honing their cricketing skills. Avery said that some of the shots and skills they have learnt is from playing Taco. Avery said “everything is new to us. some of the shots are our own variations. The absence of traditional coaching has given us the freedom to try out new things. some of it works, some of it doesn’t. but that’s the positive about starting on a clean slate. There is no history to look at: whatever you do has a novelty factor”
Covid Concerns and Future Ahead –
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc to may a lives and livelihood. The Brazilian women’s team is no different. Last time they played the game was nearly two years ago in 2019. That was when they won their 4th South American title beating arch rivals Argentina in the final. Matt Featherstone says “it’s difficult to keep them motivated. We have a cricket house in Pocos De Caldas, where the girls live and train together. We have giant screens to watch cricket together. We watched the WBBL, we watched the World T20 final here, even though the timings were very odd. But yes, once COVID clears and things are a lot more normal in terms of schedule we will be able to get moving”
Things are looking up for Brazilian cricket, with luck, hard work and dedication on their side, the girls can make huge strides. Who knows the day isn’t far off when an average Brazilian can look up to the likes of Avery as an inspiration? Who knows the day isn’t far off when the girls from Brazil can rub their shoulders with the best the women’s game has to offer? Matt Featherstone and his team have a lot of work on their hands. The time is right and the talent is there. If things go well, we may see Brazil dominating cricket as well, and women are going to be the change.