Australia Ebb and Flow at the SCG
History Makers—Part XXV
What follows is the latest installment in our series on the inaugural women’s Ashes tour of 1934/35. The previous installment is here.
Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia v England (Second Test Match)
Day One: 4th January 1935
Close of Play: Australia Australia Women 147/9 (P Antonio 9*, A Palmer 8*, M Maclagan 3-30, D Turner 2-12). Attendance: 4,611. Gate Receipts: £201/6/6.
Australia Ebb and Flow
Barbara Peden won the toss and was elected to bat; however, her Australian team never took control at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the first day of the Second Test. A crowd of more than 4,500 witnessed an early afternoon. England dominated the first 47 minutes, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 3-22. The wicket looked immaculate as local players Pritchard and Monaghan took guard. Monaghan described the wicket “as beautiful; you couldn’t miss a ball on there” (The Bodyline Fix, Marion Stell). Off-spinner Myrtle Maclagan opened the bowling inauspiciously with the first ball going for two byes, but the next ball bowled Pritchard for 0. Monaghan looked impressive but fell similarly for 9. Queensland’s Smith again looked confident, taking runs when Hide and Maclagan gave her opportunities. Shevill, who has top-scored at Brisbane, failed to score in 47 minutes.
Smith put on 44 with debutant Joyce Brewer before falling LBW for 47 in 80 minutes, including six fours. As Smith departed, the rate of scoring slowed down. Brewer looked at home in Test cricket, adding 35 runs with her captain, Peden. Wickets fell steadily until Antonio and Palmer came together at 9-129. They batted confidently, adding 18 valuable runs before the stumps were drawn. A big crowd is expected on day two. Hopefully, the forecast rain will hold off until the rest day.
In researching this article, references were made to the Trove newspaper archive and The Bodyline Fix: How Women Saved Cricket (Marion Stell).