English U19 Cricketers Subjected To Harassment On Social Media

While most of comments on the picture were positive, a few miscreants went on to pass derogatory comments, asking the girls to stop playing to join beauty contests, among other ridiculous things.

ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup's inaugural edition is set to get underway on January 14 in South Africa. In a shocking development, the supremely talented young girls of England U19 team were subjected to vulgar and hateful comments on social media after England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) shared a team photograph before team departure.

While most of comments on the picture were positive and cheerful, a few miscreants went on to pass derogatory comments, asking the girls to stop playing to join beauty contests, among other ridiculous things. A certain user even circled a particular cricketer's picture, inquiring about her whereabouts.

"The comments drew sharp criticism from netizens. Disgusted by some of the responses on this post. In what world is it okay to just sexualise women? In what world is it okay to SEXUALISE CHILDREN?" wrote a journalist.

"As a mum of one of the girls I have had to stop myself from reading the comments!!" wrote Shelly Mari Heap, who claimed to be the mother of one of the cricketers.

"Absolutely disgusted by the sexualization of women athletes that continues to happen, especially on this platform, the latest one being a bunch of U19 players. It's infuriating at so many levels," tweeted another journalist.

A total of 16 teams will compete in South Africa from January 14 and 29 to win the inaugural edition of U19 Women's World Cup.

England U19 T20 World Cup squad: Ellie Anderson, Hannah Baker, Josie Groves, Liberty Heap, Niamh Holland, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Emma Marlow, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Lizzie Scott, Grace Scrivens Sophia Smale, Seren Smale, Alexa Stonehouse, Maddie Ward.