‘Handling pressure of being hosts key to India’s ambitions in WC’

Few names in women’s cricket carry as much weight as Belinda Clark's. A pioneer, record-holder and administrator, Clark has been a trailblazer but also witnessed the evolution of the game.

- Samreen Razzaqui

As the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup sees out its first week, she reflects on how the game has turbocharged in pace and popularity, settles the technique versus power debate and what excites her about the World Cup.

Excerpts:

When you look back at your playing days and compare them to now, what strikes you most about how women’s cricket has evolved?

The sheer volume of cricket played is the striking difference. This is a combination of international cricket and T20 club based cricket. The greater volume has turbocharged the development of the game, the players and the level of interest.

Do you think hitting prowess now takes precedence over technique in women’s cricket?

Technique is a means to an end, It needs to adapt in order to be effective so that runs can be scored in different situations and conditions. We are seeing the game evolve due to the change in mindset and demands of T20 cricket. Power plus effective technique will be more effective than either on their own.

You were known for your classical strokeplay. How do you see batting evolving from your time to now?