Jahanara Alam feels shorter boundaries could make the game interesting

Jahanara Alam feels shorter boundaries would make women’s cricket more exciting as opposed to the use of smaller balls or shortened pitches. The Bangladesh fast bowler was reacting to the suggestions made by Jemimah Rodrigues and Sophie Devine during ICC's 100% Cricket webinar series titled '100% Innovation.'



“I think the ball size is right for the women and the size of the wicket is also right,” she told Daily Sun. “If the boundary line is reduced, like we play 65 yards at maximum time. So, if we have 55 yards then it will be more entertaining.”



"If the wicket size is reduced then it will be very tough for a bowler to handle a batsman. Then the batsman will sit on top of the bowler."



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She said reducing the pitch length would be tough on the bowlers as it’s difficult to change habit formed over the years. She also feels the current size of the ball used in women’s cricket is apt. “Already the amount ounces of our ball is much lesser than the boys, light and fit our hands. We can grip well and the standard size of Kookaburra is the standard size we play in international matches.”



Alam suggested that since crowds enjoy watching big hits, a smaller boundary size would encourage more batters to hit big shots, while at the same time, giving the bowlers more chances to pick up a wicket.



The right-arm seamer, who has also captained Bangladesh through her career, said ICC's latest guidelines prohibiting the use of saliva to shine the ball will not affect her methods.



“My answer to saliva is the I don’t use saliva myself; I never do. Maybe I have used it once or twice through my career, but I tend to always use sweat. I don’t use saliva at all.”



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"Anyway, I have natural swing with the new ball, so there is no tension for me," she reiterated.



With the COVID-19 situation worsening by the day, Bangladesh are yet to resume training. While the players have been trying to keep themselves occupied, finding inventive ways to keep fit and practice their skills, resumption of play seems a distant dream at the moment.



Meanwhile, following the departure of Anju Jain and Devieka Palshikar from Bangladesh's coaching staff, the Bangladesh Cricket Board are in search of a new coach. The board had earlier stated they are likely to hire a European coach, who will be announced soon.