Isa Guha on conquering a man’s world, Shane Warne’s influence and battling racist trolls

Rising through the ranks of cricket commentary, Isa Guha received criticism “just for existing as a female”. But it didn’t stop her becoming one of cricket’ most-respected voices.

Isa Guha opens up on how she battled to prove herself in the toughest of fields

Isa Guha has smashed through cricket broadcasting’s glass ceiling, but the main barrier she had to overcome was her own self-belief.

The highly respected face of Fox Cricket is not only in rare air as a female commentating on men’s cricket in the male-dominated industry of sports broadcasting.

Guha is also a powerful voice for big issues confronting cricket, such as racism and gender equality, and although it’s a responsibility she has grappled with at times, it is one she feels naturally drawn to.

Nothing has come easily for Guha in the high-pressure world of cricket broadcasting, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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“The barriers I initially faced were ones of believing in myself more than anything, and feeling accepted within the broadcast community,” Guha told News Corp.

“What helped me in that instance, was really just taking it a day at a time.

“There were moments where I definitely was out of my depth but realising that these are just things you have to go through on a journey. I tried to get myself out of my comfort zone as much as possible at the start to learn the art of broadcast. Whether it was radio, TV, presenting or punditry I just wanted to sponge it all in. I was lucky to have backing from different global broadcasters initially and if those opportunities hadn’t presented themselves I probably wouldn’t be here.

“It definitely got easier with the more experience I gained.

“I guess now that I’m established, I feel empowered to help drive conversations around different societal issues.

While I may have felt the burden of that responsibility, as a minority, I’ve realised that actually, everyone is an important part of the conversation and it’s OK not to have all the answers.

“There are many different ways you can influence change. Whether it is in front of a camera or behind closed doors. I guess I’ve tried to use a bit of both but it’s a case of working out through experience what is best for a particular situation.

“I know I’m not perfect but I see an opportunity to challenge and support where I can. Sometimes though it’s recognising the need to give people the space to think about things for themselves and be inspired to want to change.”

Isa Guha and Shane Warne

Guha has revealed that Shane Warne was one of the most significant figures in her blossoming into one of cricket’s most respected voices, as she blocked out the negative undertones of the sewer that is social media.

“Shane Warne had a particularly big influence on me,” Guha said.

“Not that other amazing cricketers didn’t, but for me, he was significant in that he was so well-respected, that as soon as I had his respect I felt I had everyone else’s.

“… Naturally, there will be people that can’t understand why you’re there, or see you as token.

“… But you’ve also got to earn your stripes. In whatever environment you’re in. Even if I was a young male journalist coming through into the environment, I’d still feel like I need to prove a point, but I guess it becomes heightened when you’re in a minority.

“Certainly in the UK, I would receive a lot of comments on social media that weren’t that helpful.

“I can handle constructive criticism, but some of it was just downright brutal – for just existing as a female voice in the commentary box.

“Fortunately that has been accompanied by colleagues, male and female, that have been really supportive too and I’ve really appreciated that.”

Guha, a former England international cricketer, still can’t believe she’s fronting Fox Cricket’s coverage on the other side of the globe for Australian audiences.

“That was huge when I got the call from Steve Crawley (Head of Fox Sports). To have someone believe in me and value me enough to get me over here consistently, that was when I recognised all the hard work had paid off,” she said.

Guha is proud of the fact that the trail she has blazed will make it easier for other young women to break into the industry.

“It’s never something I’ve set out to do but I guess I have always been attracted to opportunities that may not have been done before. To see if it’s possible,” Guha said.

“I’m by no means the only one and it’s great to be able to see (others coming through too), because when I first started, I didn’t think it was a possibility (for broadcasting to become a full-time career). Soon enough it will be normalised and people will be talking about the job we do rather than being a woman in a man’s world.”

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Originally published as Isa Guha on conquering a man’s world, Shane Warne’s influence and battling racist trolls