Women's cricket at Old Trafford!

History Makers—Part III

The next in the ACS’s planned series of auctions takes place this month, commencing at 08:00 BST on Saturday, October 12, and closing at 10:00 BST on Monday, October 21. It will be of particular relevance to those of you with an interest in cricket in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The auction also contains some statistical material, a small selection of narrative books by EW Swanton, and a tranche of 35 lots on women’s cricket. Register now to avoid missing out.

What follows is the third installment in our series on the 1934/35 women’s Ashes. The previous installment is here.

The Rest 93 ( B.Archdale 17, J Haddersley 4-17,V.Straker 3-21) and 104-7 (D. Hutchinson 33, M. Child18, B.Archdale 16, V. Straker 4-34). England 220-1 ( M. Maclagan 100, E. Snowball 77,M. Hide 32*, B.Belton 1-45).

The WCA passed another milestone on 14th July 1934, when, for the first time, a women’s game was played on a Test ground, England entertaining the Rest again. Heavy rain had fallen the night before, and the players awoke to a light drizzle. The Rest’s captain, Betty Archdale, won the toss on “a wet top” but surprisingly chose to bat. 

It was still overcast, with a blustery wind, when play commenced, but the sun made a welcome appearance fifteen minutes later. The England bowlers were outstanding, “Straker making the ball swing like a Doctor’s lantern in the wind” (WCM, Aug 34). When the leading batter, Child, ran herself out in the second over, the omens were not good, and when Chamberlain was caught at cover by Maclagan, the score slumped to 23-4. Archdale and Hutchinson rallied, scoring steadily for a partnership of 24 before Hutchinson was bowled by the left-arm spin of J. Haddersley. Archdale continued to hit out before becoming Maclagan’s only victim for 17. At 59-8, the Rest looked doomed. Hermon-Worsley, Taylor, and Valentine boosted the score, but the Rest were all out for 93 before lunch. J. Haddersley took 4-17, and Straker 3-21. 

On paper, The Rest’s bowling looked relatively strong. They opened with fast bowler Belton and the slow top-spin of Hermon-Worsley. The latter had taken 6-75 for The West at Worcester the week before when called to bowl 26 overs. Snowball and Maclagan retired to lunch at 5-0. Unfortunately, Loader, one of the most promising bowlers, was injured and didn’t return until after tea.

Faced with batters of the quality of Snowball and Maclagan, chances needed to be taken. Both obliged early in their innings, but the fielders were forgiving. The crowd was entertained by some wonderful strokeplay, coming up in 45 minutes. Snowball was missed again on 29, and England soon took the lead. 

With the score having swelled to 140, Snowball was bowled by Belton for 77. She had batted for 2 hours and 10 minutes, hitting 13 fours. It was fitting that Hide, who scored 99 in a little more than two hours in the same fixture in 1933, was batting when Maclagan brought up her century. England were 220-1 when Pollard declared at 16:43. She had batted for three hours and hit 14 fours.

The Rest batted much better in their second innings. Hutchinson scored runs, and  Straker bowled well again to complete match figures of 7-51.

The crowd was then treated to some exciting cricket. England’s top three scored freely, and overall the fielding was excellent, although several catches were spilled, and the wicket-keeping on both sides was as good as in any cricket match. Snowball didn’t concede a bye, while Morgan kept brilliantly to some erratic bowling.

Breaking down barriers

Overall, the newspaper coverage has been positive. However, there have been some negative views of women playing cricket. The headline in the Daily News, “Woman Scores a Century,” could be seen as a little derogatory or condescending. Why shouldn’t a woman be good enough to score a century? Doesn’t she have a name? 

Spectators, too, have proven a little sceptical. The crowd may have been slightly disappointing due to the weather and the men’s Test Match on the same grounds the week before. However, Captain Howard, the Lancashire Secretary, conveyed the committee’s sentiments: “I can assure you that all our members who saw the match were greatly impressed by the skill displayed” (WC Yearbook 1934). James Bradley, one of those spectators, numbered himself among the sceptics. Still, he was so impressed with Snowball and Maclagan that he compared them to Macartney and Ponsford (Women’s Cricket August 1934).

Cricket Week 1934

“We are Not Grandmas”

After a chilly start, Colwall welcomed the sunshine to the eighth Women’s Cricket Association cricket week, the highlight of which was The Veterans v. The Australian Tourists at the Elms School Ground on Thursday, 23rd August. Marjorie Pollard expressed the view, held by many, that the tourists are not only excellent ambassadors for their sport but also demonstrate considerable talent.

Veteran Women: Back row (L-R):- OM Andrews, NS Strathairn, CA Partridge, AF Bull, CM Holden. Front row:- HE Green, EA Snowball, VMM Cox, MA Pollard, V Brain, M Scott-Bowden.

The Veterans, who have attended every cricket week, batted first. Snowball, who would be vice-captain in the winter, opened the batting with Scottish Lacrosse International Nora Strathairn. These two had been the leading run-scorers in the cricket week leading up to the game, but here they struggled for 45 minutes before Doris Turner found her way to their timbers, and the score looked precarious at 19-2. Amy Bull, Marjorie Pollard and Olive Andrews rallied, but then the tourists regained control, Mary Taylor taking four wickets. Vigorous batting from Constance Holden, who top scored with 32, ensured a respectable total:

The Touring Team needed 147 to win. Their innings began at 15:30, when Myrtle Maclagan and Mollie Child walked to the middle. The latter soon departed, however, followed closely by number three Mollie Hide, and the Touring Team was on the ropes at 17-2. The situation didn’t improve when Pollard, the Women’s Cricket magazine editor, bowled Partridge for six. But then came Betty Archdale, soon to lead England in its first Test Match. With Maclagen she took control, adding 70 for the fourth wicket before Maclagan mis-hit Pollard to Strathairn for the top score of 61. Mary Richards and Archdale advanced the total to 124, and victory appeared to be in sight. The veterans used all their experience, bowling tightly and fielding impeccably, as runs grew scarce. At 144, Andrews took two wickets, and the Touring Team required three runs with two wickets and two overs remaining, with five minutes of play remaining. The batters held their nerve, striking the winning hit in the final over. Although the Touring Team had secured victory, they completed the final over, adding three more runs for the fall of the final two wickets. Andrews’s bowling had been outstanding: In just seven balls, she had taken four wickets for five runs.

For full statistics, click here.

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please either respond to the email in which you received it, or leave a comment below.