But Australian inquisition into semi-final loss will be long and grisly
Tuesday 1 August 2017 18:38, UK
India's progression to Sunday's ICC's World Cup final signals the growth of an exciting new order in the women's game, says Francis Kelly.
There is no telling the exact point empires topple, simply a collection of events over a period of time that only reveal themselves after the old guard are replaced by new rulers.
So it is with the decline of World Cup reigning champions Australia. Since 1978, when Australia beat England in the second edition of the World Cup, women's cricket has contested 15 international tournaments, with Australia victorious in nine of them.
Yet for the first time in eight years, they will not even be present at a tournament final. In an era of Australian dominance, it is unthinkable to imagine the silverware decider not decked out in green and gold.
But after being on the receiving end of one of the most destructive innings in cricket history, as India's Harmanpreet Kaur struck an incredible unbeaten 171 off a mere 115 balls, they now return home to an uncertain future.
The Australian inquisition into why such an outcome occurred will be long and grisly. These events always are. When you've enjoyed such a monopoly, it makes it all the harder to comprehend defeat.
In the post-match press conference, captain Meg Lanning glowered into the middle distance, replaying the last six hours over and over again in her mind. Questions about decisions in this match and others before it prompted grimaces, her face contorted as if watching a horror film.
Changes will be made. The argument for not including an extra pace bowler will be contested, following all-rounder Elyse Perry's difficulties with the ball this tournament.
Heads may not roll but the debate about how the favourites ended up in this position will trundle on. And all of this will be played out while contract negotiations between Cricket Australia and Australian Cricketers' Association rages on in the background.
They need only cast a glance at England and the ramifications a period of underachievement instigates to see what wide sweeping transformations can be made. World Cup, T20 and Ashes champions in 2009, England has endured a barren run in the intervening years. However now, under the tutelage of Mark Robinson, they find themselves one win away from lifting their fourth World Cup trophy.
Their improvement is just one small piece in a much bigger development in women's cricket in recent years as increased finances allowed an amateur undertaking to become a real occupation. Importantly it has widened the pool from which all nations can drink. No longer are the Big Three - Australia, England and New Zealand - so assured of victory.
For so long the feats of Australia altered the manner in which women's cricket was viewed. Their achievements both internationally and domestically, with the success of the Women's Big Bash League, heralded a new dawn of possibilities.
Now Kaur is causing us to rethink what is conceivable. India, a team previously marginalised in their own country, are helping us to dream bigger. Then there is South Africa blazing a path for the emerging nations thanks to extended opportunities. And who can forget the ground-shifting innings by Sri Lanka's Chamari Attapattu?
Even the likes of the game's greats such as Mithali Raj are giving way to the next generation. The known empires may be crumbling, but in their place will be an exciting new order.
Watch England Women take on India Women in Sunday's ICC Women's World Cup final live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am.
