Cricket Witness No 4 - Women at the WIcket

143 Conclusion - War Again, and its Aftermath and inevitable progress, but players and administrators had probably succeeded in establishing cricket as a suitable game in the eyes of most of the game’s supporters. In doing so, they had helped reshape popular opinions on the capabilities of women’s minds and bodies. Yet, the sport’s popularity did not last, and for most of the post-war 20th century the WCA was weaker than in the late 1930s. 13 While private-members clubs were hit hardest, some workplaces also witnessed a sharp fall in play. Rowntree’s were unable to rebuild their team until 1951, while Cadbury’s only fielded only one team by 1956, even less than in wartime. Before the war, Huntley and Palmer’s biscuit factory in Reading had as many as 21 departmental teams, but by 1946 just three members of their 363 female staff mentioned cricket as a hobby in a company survey. The game had dropped below badminton, hockey, netball, table tennis and tennis, and was only marginally more popular (and accessible) than rifle shooting. 14 Estimated total playing members affiliated to the Women’s Cricket Association, 1938-85 Year Affiliated Bodies Estimated Total Playing Members Pre-war 1937 196 6186 1938 195 6206 1939 210 6800 Post-war 1945 28 996 1946 68 2254 1947 120 3873 1948 173 5502 1949 176 5430 1950 209 6475 1951 247 7545 1955 299 9152 1965 129 4008 1975 106 3420 1985 95 2948 1995 118 3582 Source: WCA, Reports, Annual General Meetings and Yearbooks (1938-1995). Each affiliated body estimated to have 30 players. Total estimates include individual playing members. After the 1937 Ashes, bitter public opposition to the sport disappeared in the media, but hostility resumed after the war. Initially, women playing cricket was a cause for celebration. On 8 May 1945 victory in Europe was met with cheering crowds, street parties, bunting and (of course) cricket. At the Friends’ School in Saffron Walden, an official programme of