A Good Impression
History Makers—Part IX
What follows is the latest installment in our series on the inaugural women’s Ashes of 1934/35. The previous installment is here.
On Tuesday morning, Jean Cameron, captain of Western Australia, together with other dignitaries and players from the Western Australian Women’s Cricket Association (WAWCA), welcomed her counterpart Betty Archdale and the English touring team as they set foot on Australian soil. At the foot of the gangway, they gave three cheers to the other passengers before motor cars took them to Fremantle Town Hall, where they were welcomed by Lady Mayoress, Mrs. E.B. Sinclair, and Lord Mayor, Mr. J.T. Franklin.
Archdale and England’s manager, Green, will be the only players addressing the media during the tour. They expressed their appreciation for the Australian hospitality and looked forward to some excellent cricket.
On a more serious note, Archdale emphasized that they were women, not lady cricketers. In England, there were no cups to be played for; the cricketers played because they loved the game. Furthermore, they didn’t play with men or try to emulate men’s cricket.
Archdale argued that the chief fixtures of the tour, being against “an Australian XI,” rather than “Australia” pure and simple, could not be regarded as a Test series. Green, for her part, agreed that there were no Ashes to play for. If the weather reports were correct, however, they would all turn to ashes in Queensland!
They had one more engagement at Perth Town Hall before making their way to the WACA ground. An enthusiastic crowd, greatly impressed, awaited them. The grace of Snowball and Hide’s attacking batting was much admired.
The team will practice every morning at the WACA until the match begins on Saturday, and will have several civic engagements.
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