Glaciers and floods on the journey home
History Makers—Part XXXVIII: Reflecting on the tour
What follows is the latest installment in our series on the inaugural women’s Ashes tour of 1934/35. The previous installment is here.
20th April 1935
English cricket seen in a new light
The all-conquering English tourists arrived home in early April from a highly successful tour of Australia and New Zealand. There were still some doubters, but most spectators and the press were impressed by the skills they displayed. Moreover, “the contrast to the men’s bodyline tour was there for all to see. Fifteen women from England helped restore the game's image by demonstrating a deep knowledge of the field and charming them off it” (Stell Bodyline Fix).
Reflections from the Archdale and Green
Captain’s concerns
Captain Betty Archdale’s team conquered all before them, but on arrival in Australia, had been unsure of the opposition’s strength and how to adapt to faster pitches and a different ball. They were a little pensive before the first game against Western Australia. Still, it soon became apparent that the Australians’ reluctance to play their shots would hinder them, and that the English batting would be superior. When they moved to Victoria, they encountered challenging spinners Peggy Antonio and Ann Palmer. They had to learn to spin on faster pitches with a bigger five-and-a-half-ounce ball.
Archdale’s two-part tour diary can be read in full here: Part 1, Part 2.
Playing conditions
The wickets became more variable when the team moved away from the cricketing centres. Manager Betty Green reflected, “The wickets for the Test Matches were perfect everywhere; Sydney was just a shade better. The wickets were mainly made of matting or concrete in the country towns. Likewise, the outfields at the Test grounds were like billiard tables; however, in the country towns, they weren’t always perfect, with sandy furrows and tufts of vegetation” (Women’s Cricket, June 1935).
Barracking
Reflections from Betty Green (Manager)
Australians are famous for barracking, and in the 1930s were infamous for it, but the tourists soon realised it had its amusing side. Before the first match, Archdale had revealed that England’s deep fielders were selected not only for their fielding skills, but also for their ability to interact with the crowd. During Elssie Sheville’s obdurate innings, when she failed to score for 47 minutes, there were a couple of wisecracks: “Don’t hurt yer bat!” “’Urry up, Miss! I’ve got ter gow and milk the cow” (Betty Green, Women’s Cricket, June,1935).
Betty Green’s two-part diary can be read in full here: Part 1, Part 2.
Up-country games
The tourists traveled many miles across Australia. Before the Test series, the state teams offered competitive matches, and an England XI quickly formed. For the players not involved in the Tests, Grace Morgan, Mary Burletson and manager Betty Green, the up-country matches were the only opportunities to play.
Good crowds turned out for all these matches, and the tourists were able to explore Australia’s diverse landscapes. The tourists were expected to beat all the up-country teams convincingly, but a few surprises would be cast. We will reflect on these games in future installments.
The journey home
On their way home the tourists had a whistle-stop tour of New Zealand, playing six provincial one-day games and a Test in 23 days. After the Test, they traveled back to Wellington via the Fox Joseph glacier, where they narrowly avoided a flood before arriving at the Wellington Ladies Cricket Council, which hosted them.
After loading their luggage on the SS Rotorua, they took a tour of the surrounding district. After having tea with the President of the cricket council, and then a farewell dinner, they drove to the docks.
Avoiding floods and climbing Franz Joseph
The Pitcairns and the Panama Canal
They set sail on the SS Rotorua on 23rd February. The weather was quite chilly for the first week, but they soon enjoyed a warmer climate and could play deck games and use the swimming pool. Captain Lamb took the ship home via Pitcairn Island and the Panama Canal.
Pitcairn Island has no suitable landing grounds, so the islanders came to the ship in long canoes carrying up to forty people. They bartered and haggled their goods, which included walking sticks made from coconut wood, baskets, bananas and mangoes.
They travelled through the Panama Canal before stopping at Wilhelmstadt Harbour, on Curaçao, the centre of the Caribbean oil industry. Their journey home was uneventful, but the weather deteriorated as they got closer to England. As they passed through the Channel, sleet and bitter winds greeted them.
Returning to work
The pioneering team arrived back in London last night after a successful tour in which they demonstrated that cricket is not just man’s work. Captain Betty Archdale, whose team was undefeated during the tour, said, “Their bowling and fielding are better than their batting which isn’t aggressive enough for us” (Daily Express 5-4-35).
The tourists will return to work or study in the coming weeks, with one exception: Mary Taylor’s Wimbledon firm could not keep her job open; she is seeking employment. She said that if female professional cricketers existed, she would love to be one, but they wouldn’t for a few years.
Australia invited to tour in 1937
The Women’s Cricket Association has sent a formal invitation to their Australian counterparts to tour in 1937. They will play three Tests and hope that decent grounds will be made available.
The new season
Women’s cricket has grown since the formation of the WCA in 1926. The coming season will feature a complete fixture list. Those who were overlooked for the tour can showcase their ability when “The Rest of England” entertain “The Touring team” at the Oval on 15th June.
Material from Women’s Cricket History and tour diaries from the MCC library has been invaluable in compiling this article. Photographs are from the Trove collection.