Setting sail
The latest in the ACS’s planned series of auctions kicked off a week ago. It closes at 22:00 tonight, and has plenty to interest those who follow cricket in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The auction also contains some statistical material, a small selection of narrative books by EW Swanton, and a tranche of 35 lots on women’s cricket. All proceeds fund the ACS. Bid now to avoid missing out.
What follows is the fifth installment in our series on the 1934/35 women’s Ashes tour. The previous installment is here.
Betty Archdale and her team set sail from Tilbury on Friday on the P&O’s SS Cathay for Australia and New Zealand. Nearly 200 people from all over the country wished them well at an official reception at Caxton Hall.
Archdale asked for nets installed on the ship. They will practice daily and keep fit by playing deck sports, including “Deck cricket.”
Before passing through the Suez Canal, they will call in at Marseille, Malta, and Port Said. As they approach the Indian Ocean, they will stop at Bombay and have some cricket in Colombo. Finally, 32 days later, they will dock at Fremantle.
Negotiations with Australia
As cricket spreads worldwide, the laws have been adapted to suit local conditions. Traditionally, an over consists of eight balls in Australia. However, the tourists suggested adapting the playing conditions to six-ball overs. In turn, England has agreed to use a five-and-a-half-ounce ball, which is half an ounce heavier than the tourists are used to.
Australian tour itinerary
23rd-24th November: Western Australia Women at WACA ground, Perth
7th-8th December: Victoria Women at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
10th December: Denliquin Women at Memorial Park, Deniliquin
14th-15th December: New South Wales Women at Sydney Cricket Ground
18th December: Wollongong Women at Lyasaght Oval, Wollongong
19th December: Newcastle Women at No 1. Sports Ground, Newcastle
21st-22nd December: Queensland at Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
28th-31st December: Australia at Exhibition Ground, Brisbane (Rest Day 30th)
4th-7th January: Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (Rest Day 6th)
4th-7th January: Australia at Melbourne (Rest Day 30th)
9th January: Canberra Women at Manuka Oval, Canberra
11th January: Goulburn Revellers Women at Goulburn Sports Ground, Goulburn
12th January: Leeton women at Leeton
15th January: Junee and District Women at Junee
18th- 20th January: Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
What can England expect in Australia?
Helen Green (hon. player-manager), quoted in the recently published WCA 1934 Report, thought cricket was well organized in Australia. However, the duration of matches could be challenging for England. Archdale has raised concerns about their lack of practice at multi-day cricket.
The Australian team has yet to be announced and is unknown to the tourists. However, The Advertiser reports that a 16-year-old “googly” bowler may make things difficult for the English. They didn’t name her, but we believe she is Peggy Antonio.
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