Snowball melts New Zealand
History Makers—Part XXXVI
What follows is the latest installment in our series on the inaugural women’s Ashes tour of 1934/35. The previous installment is here.
17th February 1935
New Zealand v England ( Only Test) 16th and 18th February 1935
Day One: Close of Play New Zealand 44 ( M Hollis 24, M Maclagan 5-22, MI Taylor 3-6) England 4-430 ( EA Snowball 189, MA Hide 110, EM Child 62*. HE Archdale 27*, Symons 2-60 ) Estimated attendance 3,000. Hours of Play: 11:00-1:00, 1:45-3:45, 4:00-6:00.
New Zealand collapse
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat on a perfect wicket in front of a good crowd. England again opened with Maclagan’s off-spin, which proved highly effective. Mary Spear caught both openers, Hilda Buck and Magrgaret Marks, at silly mid-on. Wickets continued to fall as New Zealand played cautiously. Ruth Symons batted soundly, but England offered few scoring opportunities. At 7-16, Merle Hollis began to chance her arm, hitting 24 in 22 minutes. Hollis and Symons had put on 28 for the 8th wicket when Liebert caught Hollis. The final two wickets fell on 44, including Symons, who was run out. After 78 minutes, it was England’s turn to bat.
England aggressive in reply
At 12:35, Maclagan and Snowball took guard, probably for the final time on the tour. They immediately took control, racing to 50 in 20 minutes. Maclagan offered New Zealand a ray of hope when she was caught by Symons off Miller for 26. As Molly Hide joined Snowball, England was 1-55.
England’s batting in the afternoon session was majestic, with beautiful strokes to all areas of the ground. They offered one chance when Hide was dropped on 58 by Bishop, but took every opportunity to score. They reached three figures in 68 minutes, 150 in 93, and 200 in 126, leaving New Zealand to reflect on 1-230 at tea.
When Hide eventually fell to Hollis on 110, the second-wicket partnership reached 235, the highest in women’s Test cricket. The New Zealand bowlers continued to toil away as Mollie Child scored at the same rate. By 5 pm, Snowball had reached 170, a double century hers to take, but when she had made 189, she mishit New Zealand’s captain Ruth Symons to mid-off where Marge Bishop snapped up the chance. After 222 minutes and 23 fours, she returned to the pavilion with England on 372. How long would her records stand? Betty Archdale took her place and showed no mercy.
England goes into the rest day in complete control on 4-430. The declaration is expected early on the second day, with an innings victory the likely result.
