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Cricket vocab to help youngsters: Jonassen

Rob ForsaithAAP
Spin bowler Jess Jonassen has backed the Marylebone Cricket Club's adoption of gender-neutral terms.
Camera IconSpin bowler Jess Jonassen has backed the Marylebone Cricket Club's adoption of gender-neutral terms. Credit: AAP

Star spinner Jess Jonassen has applauded the Marylebone Cricket Club's adoption of the gender-neutral term 'batter'.

The MCC announced on Wednesday it was replacing the word batsman with batter in the laws of the game, wanting to achieve greater inclusivity.

Jonassen, who is recovering from a leg injury that ruled her out of Australia's ongoing multi-format series against India, says the terminology issue never fazed her.

But Jonassen noted the same might not be said for girls starting their junior careers.

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"It's quite vital, particularly for the younger age groups," Jonassen said in Brisbane,

"Allowing them to feel comfortable.

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"It's one of those things that is an easy fix for a lot of people but it has really huge and positive benefits.

"I've always said you call a bowler a bowler, you don't call them a bowlsman or whatever. From that point of view, it makes sense."

Fellow Queensland skipper Usman Khawaja said he was "all for" the change.

"Female cricket is a big part of the game now, so I understand where they're going," Khawaja said.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan posted on Twitter anybody annoyed by the change should "get a life".

Australia spinner Sophie Molineux argued the change reflected how cricket was heading in the right direction in trying to become a "sport for all".

"Australian cricket has led the way. A couple of years ago it became the Australian men's team and women's team (rather than calling the latter the Southern Stars)," Molineux said.

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