Not the First International Match, but the First Test
History Makers—Part XIV
What follows is the latest installment in our series on the inaugural women’s Ashes tour of 1934/35. The previous installment is here.
6th December 1934
Media reports have referred to the match between Victoria and England as the first international women’s match, but this is untrue. Western Australia performed with credit in Perth. However, the game could be the first occasion to judge the difference between England and Australia.
Victoria has a rich history in women’s cricket. The first association, the Victoria Ladies Cricket Association, was formed in 1905. Since establishing the interstate carnival in 1930, Victoria has consistently been well-represented in the Australian XI selected at the end of each tournament.
After the 1934 tournament, recently retired Dot Debnam was chosen to captain the team, while four other players were selected. They will all be playing for Victoria against England.
The Victoria Team
Victoria selector Dot Debnam, speaking to the Sun News and Pictorial, said, “It is a well-balanced team strong in both batting and bowling, but a very young eleven”.
Elsie Deane, 24, Victoria’s newly appointed captain, was vice-captain of the Victorian team, which won the Australian Interstate Championship. Captain of the Victorian Premiership, she is a right-arm medium bowler and a hard-hitting batter. She scored 29 runs at 14.50 in multi-day cricket and took one catch. Victoria cap number 6.
**Nell McLarty, 22, is vice-captain and captain of Collingwood, and considered one of Australia's best all-rounders. She was Victoria’s opening bowler and opening bat in the last interstate matches. Multi-day record: 68 runs at 34:00, 4 wickets at 11.75, and 2 catches. Victoria cap number 4.
**Peggy Antonio, 17, (Raymonds) has been the outstanding bowler in the Victorian Premiership for several seasons bowling both googly and off spin. She is a good field at point, and her batting has improved considerably. Multi-Day record 5 runs at 2.50, 9 wickets at 4.88, including the first five-wicket (5-16) haul versus New South Wales. Victoria cap number 14.
Ruth Tucker is one of the best fast bowlers in Victorian women’s cricket. She is the captain of Clarendon. She was out of the game last season but showed great form this season. She has yet to appear in multi-day cricket. Victoria cap number 9.
Winnie George, 20, is a sound bat, versatile fielder, and Victoria’s reserve wicket-keeper. She has yet to be dismissed in multi-day cricket, contributing to a last-wicket partnership with Deane, which helped defeat NSW. Victoria cap number 19.
**Ann Palmer, 19, (Clarendon) is a right-handed off-break bowler who made an impressive debut for Victoria earlier this year when she had match figures of eight wickets for 19. She is an excellent field. She has taken 8 wickets at 3.25 in multi-day cricket, scored 37 runs at 16.50, and taken one catch. Victoria cap number 21.
Lorna Kettels, 22 (Brunswick), has a beautiful batting style, punishes loose bowling, and is a good fielder. She has yet to appear in multi-day cricket. Victoria cap number 16.
Jean Day has represented Victoria each year since Interstate matches were begun in 1930. She is the captain of Pelaco and a reliable all-rounder. She has played two games of multi-day cricket, scoring only 12 runs at 6.00, but has opened Victoria’s batting and bowling with some success in one-day matches. Victoria cap number 6.
**Hilda Hinds, 21, is the finest wicket-keeper Victoria has produced, and is considered a certainty for Australia in December. She is also an excellent bat who opened for Victoria in the last championships. She is the captain of Preston. In multi-day cricket, she has scored 19 runs, taking 4 catches, and stumped two batters. Victoria cap number 12.
Dot Haggis (Richmond) is the smallest player in the eleven. Great things are expected of this young Richmondite, who has the ideal temperament for the important games ahead. She has yet to appear in multi-day cricket. Victoria cap Number 24.
Gladys Morsehead (Clifton Hill) has played for Victoria for the last two years and is a good all-rounder. In her only multi-day match, she scored 16 runs against NSW. Victoria cap number 17
Nancy Clements (Ramblers) came into prominence in the latter half of last season with some fine scores, including a century. A fair change bowler and an excellent field. Victoria cap number 23.
** Selected for the Australian XI in February 1934
Penny for Autographs Flood Fund
The England team has been highly popular since they were welcomed to Victoria by Association President Miss LC Mills. The state has recently suffered devastating floods. To raise money for the Sun Herald Flood Relief Fund, Betty Archdale has suggested that fans pay the sum of 1d for each autograph.
Admission and hours of play
Play will commence at 1:15, and stumps will be drawn at 5:45. The cost of admission will be 9d and 1/6
A full list of the women who have represented Victoria can be found here.