History Makers—Part II

The second installment in our new series on the 1934/35 Women's Ashes

The Tourists

Helen Elizabeth “Betty” Archdale (27, Captain, Kent) will captain the team to Australia as a right-handed batter. Born in London to a suffragette and an Irish soldier who died in the war, she learned to play cricket at Bedales School in Hampshire before attending McGill University in Montreal. She is currently studying for the bar, specializing in international law. She also plays hockey for Kent. During the 1934 Cricket Week, she scored 132 runs at an average of 33.00.

Elizabeth Alexandra “Betty” Snowball (26, Vice-Captain, West Women) will be Archdale’s vice-captain. She is a right-handed batter and wicketkeeper. Born in Burnley, she was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews, before attending Bedford Physical Training College, where she graduated as an assistant Games Mistress. She is currently on the staff at St Swithun’s School, Winchester. During the 1934 Cricket Week, she scored 218 runs at an average of 36.33, including a century. Her dashing style will complement Maclagan, forming a perfect opening pair. 

Helen Elizabeth “Betty” Green (26, Player Manager, Cuckoo and Gunnersbury Cricket Clubs): A steady bat and excellent fielder. She was educated at Hamilton School, Tunbridge Wells, before studying at the Dartford College of Physical Education and is a Games Mistress at Norwood College. She has taken on a difficult task but will efficiently carry it out. Green and Archdale will be the only players and officials speaking to the press.

Mary Scott Burletson (21, Midlands) was born in Sunderland and educated at Roedean School and Ansley Physical Training College. She has recently become a Games Mistress and is a young all-rounder of considerable promise who will improve during the tour. 

Elizabeth Mary “Mollie” Child (26, Cuckoos CC) is a forceful middle-order bat who has opened and kept wickets when required. She was educated at St George’s School, Harpenden, and Dartford Physical Training College. She gave up her job at Queen Ethelburga’s School to participate in the tour. During the 1934 Cricket Week, she scored 148 runs at an average of 21.14.

Mary Elizabeth “Molly” Hide (21, West Women) is an all-rounder, a quick-scoring right-handed batter, and a medium-paced bowler. Born in Shanghai, she learned to play cricket at Wycombe Abbey School and is captain of Reading University, where she studies agriculture. She is also a lacrosse international. During the 1934 Cricket Week, she scored 124 runs at an average of 20.66 and took 17 wickets at an average of 5.56. Her class shone soon after the touring party was announced with a superb 99 for England vs. The Rest at Old Trafford in July.

Joyce “Joy” Liebert (20, Lancashire Women) is the youngest member of the touring party and an all-rounder: a flashy batter and a useful change bowler. She was educated at St George’s School, St Andrews, and is an art student at Bushey Art School in London. She has experience in multi-day cricket, having played for Scotland against England in 1932. During the 1934 Cricket Week, she scored 40 runs and took eight wickets at an average of 6.85.

Myrtle Ethel Maclagan (23, Surrey) is a right-handed batter with endless patience, an off-spin bowler, and a fine fielder. Born in India, she played in the first XI for the Royal Bath School in Bath for six years from the age of 12, taking five wickets in five balls against Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Her batting was a little disappointing during the 1934 Cricket Week, averaging 20.71 by her high standards. She had averaged 50.66 with two centuries between 1932 and 1933. Her bowling has been exceptional since 1931 when she took 92 wickets. Her century for England vs. the Rest at Old Trafford demonstrated the vital role she will play in Australia, opening the innings with Snowball. 

Grace Angela Morgan (25, Civil Service) was educated at Putney Secondary School. She is the wicketkeeper and captain of the Civil Service team, employed by the Ministry of Health. She is a steady but not exceptional batter and may get few opportunities to play in the Tests where Snowball will have the gloves, but she will be a valuable member of the touring party.

Joy Evelyn Partridge (35, South Women) is the oldest tourist. Partridge is a sound but careful batter, a slow bowler, and an excellent point or slip fielder. Educated at St Mary and St Anne’s School before attending Dartford PTC, she is a Physical Education teacher at Wycombe Abbey School, where she should take credit for the high level of cricket. She had a moderate 1934 Cricket Week, scoring 107 runs and taking three wickets. She is also a lacrosse international.

Marjorie E “Mary” Richards (24, West of England) is an opening batter who can field anywhere and bowl slowly if necessary. Born in Burma to a railway engineer, she was educated at Clifton High School before training at Bedford PTC. She is currently teaching at Alexander College, Dublin.

Mary Spear (21, Dartford College), educated at St Paul’s School, is a right-handed batter and medium-pace bowler. She graduated from Dartford College of Physical Education. She became prominent when she took seven for 35 against the WCA in 1932. Since then, she has dominated cricket week, taking 61 wickets at an average of 7.05.

Mary Isabella Taylor (22, Gunnersbury Club) is described as the Larwood of the team. She is the fastest bowler in the side and a useful free-scoring batter. During cricket week, she tore through The Veterans’ middle order, taking 4-18, and will be a handful for the Australian batters in the winter. Born in Wimbledon, she is a secretary/typist at a London business house.

Doris Mildred Turner (26, Gunnersbury Club) is a useful medium-paced bowler, good fielder, and improving batter. She is also a secretary at a London business house. When she bowled both Snowball and Strathairn, the leading scorers in the cricket week for The Tourists vs. The Veterans, she demonstrated skills that will be valuable in the winter.

Carol Valentine (27, Cuckoos Club) is a right-arm medium bowler, fast off the pitch, and an aggressive tail-end batter. Educated at Wycombe Abbey School, she is a talented all-around athlete who toured the USA with the English Lacrosse team earlier this year. Her brother Bryan played two Tests in India last winter, and her sister Margaret is also a talented cricketer.

The Itinerary

The initial itinerary was announced in July before confirmation of the New Zealand leg had been received. Further fixtures would be added whilst a few issues need to be ironed out. 

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