England's 2009 cricketers are Kelly Holmes' pick of 25 years of Sky Sports coverage
Wednesday 20 April 2016 20:13, UK
England’s 2009 women’s cricket team have given Dame Kelly Holmes her favourite moments during 25 years of sports coverage on Sky Sports.
That England side retained the Women's Ashes against Australia and won both the ICC Women's World Cup and the inaugural ICC Women's World Twenty20.
And double Olympic champion Holmes, who was a live guest on Tuesdays Sportswomen show on Sky Sports News HQ, hailed England's success that year as "amazing".
She said: "The year the England women won the Twenty20, the World cup and the Ashes in the cricket in 2009, I thought that was an amazing achievement really.
"I think they should have been celebrated far more than they were.
"It was an amazing achievement. The men have never done that so for me that was a real hats-off moment."
The gender pay gap in sport debate continues to rumble on after members of the US Women's soccer team filed a wage discrimination complaint against their national federation at the end of last month.
That came a week after Raymond Moore was forced to step down as tournament director at Indian Wells after saying female tennis players should get "down every night on their knees" to thank their male counterparts.
David Beckham told Sky Sports News HQ he supported Serena Williams' stance on equal pay in tennis and Dame Kelly agrees, insisting the women are just as committed to their sport as the men.
"I think we're now in an era where there should be equal pay," she said.
"Women are putting in as much time, effort and commitment. They are dedicated to their sport and they can only beat the people they are up against.
"They absolutely should get the same pay. I can't really see the rationale for saying no.
"With tennis the argument is that it's best of five sets for men and best of three for women. But if you asked the women if they would rather have best of five or have less pay, what do you think they are going to say?
"They are going to say best of five. Give them the chance."
