Just a few months ago the India women’s team became the runners-up in the ICC Women’s World Cup under the leadership of Mithali Raj. Recently, the kick-started the three-match ODI against South Africa as a part of the ICC Women’s Championship to qualify for the next World Cup. The first match of the series was played on February 5 at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
However, the series opener was neither telecasted on any television channel nor on any online platforms on Monday. There weren’t any live commentary portals either or links to stream it from other sources. In fact, the only available live scores and information was from the official Twitter handle of Cricket South Africa (CSA). Not even the Twitter handle for the India’s women’s cricket team had the live scores, nor did the account for ICC Live Scores.
Also read: Mithali backs the tail-endersAccording to BCCI representatives, CSA was solely responsible for taking care of the live telecast of the matches. The Indian board cannot produce footage for matches played outside the county.
As quoted in The Field, a media representative of the BCCI said, “BCCI does not have the rights for the matches that are played outside India.”
Couldn’t have asked for a better to play cricket. After 13 overs @BCCIWomen have moved steadily along to 44/0 Raut 16 and Mandhana 28 #AlwaysRising #ProteasWomen #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/geKDUnawq5
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 5, 2018
They also assured that the three double-header Twenty20 matches – when the women’s and men’s team play one after the other at the same venue – will be shown Live on TV.
The effects of the non-telecast were apparent from the onset. Even there was an error in the opening combination for India, with all live scores showing that it was Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana who opened the batting for India. This feed was picked up by leading cricket websites such as Cricinfo and Cricbuzz as well.
WICKET | @BCCIWomen lose their first wicket as Raut 19 is caught by Ismail as she attempted a maximum off Ayabonga Khaka does not go according to plan. 55/1#ProteasWomen #AlwaysRising #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/k98bVWkgMA
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 5, 2018
However, the official Twitter account of CSA shared that Mandhana was batting with Punam Raut, the regular Indian opening combination. This confusion lasted till the first wicket fell – Raut on 19 – with even the official BCCI handle tweeting that Raj fell. The tweet was later deleted and the scorecards corrected.
