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Made for TV, not for people

Made-for-television cricket. We've seen a lot of it in the past five years dished out in the name of "globalising" the sport. Televised but meaningless one-day matches dished up for an insatiable market from the "emerging" regions of world cricket. Singapore, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu, and even a park in northern Los Angeles have all played host to an array of TV-oriented "spectaculars". Add to that list the name of Melbourne.

When it's ok to be controversial

Case Study A:
Adam Gilchrist speaks at a football club members luncheon.. asked whether he thinks Muttiah Muralitharan throws the ball, replies that Murali's action "is probably not quite within [the rules]".

Official Reaction:
The Australian Cricket Board charges Gilchrist with bringing the game into disrepute and issue a statement saying that they do not support his opinions.

Outcome:
Gilchrist receives an official reprimand after three days of intense media attention.

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Former WI captain appointed to male board committee

Former West Indian captain Ann Browne-John broke new ground this week when she was appointed to the Cricket Committee of the West Indies Cricket Board. She is the first woman appointed to a major role in the men's governing body in the Caribbean.

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England Test player Joan Wilkinson dies aged 83

Joan Wilkinson, who played thirteen Tests for England between 1949 and 1958, has died. Her funeral was held at Foulridge, Lancashire, on Tuesday April 23, the town where she passed away at home at the age of 83.

A right-handed batter and occasional spin bowler, Wilkinson was chosen for England's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1948-49, where she played all Tests except the opening game of the Australian leg. She was in the team which hosted Australia in the 1951 season, and was England vice-captain when New Zealand toured in 1954.

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Ireland's season in men's league about to start

The Irish national women's team makes its debut in men's club competition on Saturday April 27. The women will be playing nine matches in the Leinster Men's Intermediate A League - effectively a fifth-grade club competition - and will take on the Clontarf fourth XI at Castle Avenue, Dublin in the opening game.

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

Maybe not the definitive story of the Stolen Generation, but if it heightens awareness of this sorry episode in Australia's history then it will have served a purpose.

For those who possess a broad understanding of events, this movie - based on fact - will not provide any profound enlightenment, though Rabbit-Proof Fence does provide a good illustration of the institutionalised removal of aboriginal children from their families, supposedly (in the eyes of a succession of Australian national and state governments) for their own benefit. The story, of two aboriginal girls escape from their new "home", following the path of the lengthy rabbit fence across the outback to return to their natural family, is a powerful one.

Rolton dominates Adelaide grand final

Australian all-rounder Karen Rolton dominated the South Australian Women's Cricket Association A grade grand final on 23 and 24 March as Port Adelaide won its second consecutive title.

Rolton, arguably the world's best female cricketer at this time, smashed 201 not out as Port crushed the Northern Districts Jets by the margin of 254 runs in the two-day season finale at the Women's Memorial Playing Fields, St Marys.

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Woman umpire in men's Test breakthrough

New Zealand umpire Kathy Cross achieved a new milestone in the men's game during the Second Test between the New Zealand men and England at the Basin Reserve, Wellington in March. The 44 year-old from Hutt Valley was appointed as fourth umpire for the Test, the first time that a woman has been included among the umpiring team for a men's international cricket match.

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Trish Langsford, former Australia U23 captain, loses battle with MS

Tricia Langsford, captain of the Australian Under-23 women's cricket team in 1994, died in Sydney on March 16 following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 30.

A promising all-rounder from New South Wales who was considered a future member of the senior Australian women's team, Trish Langsford was named Player of the Series in the 1991-92 national championships at the age of 20, having taken 17 wickets at 9.88 and scored 99 runs at 24.75. The 1992 edition of the "ABC Australian Cricket Almanac" named her as one of Australia's four women players of the year.

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A possible world record as Britt smashes 344

Australia Youth all-rounder Kris Britt scored an astonishing 344 not out in a 50-over match for Western District against North Canberra-Gungahlin in the ACT Women's Cricket competition on Sunday March 10. Her score is believed to be a world record for a limited-over game at senior club level or above, male or female.

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