Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

109 “DESCRIBED as one of ‘England’s all time greats’, Newstead’s very own Enid Bakewell has been recognised for her sporting achievements. Former England cricketer, Enid, who hails from Newstead Village, was inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame for a record-breaking career in national and international cricket. ’I was shocked when I got a call from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai inviting me to Sri Lanka to pick up the accolade ’ said Enid who now lives with her daughter in Nuncargate. It is a great honour to be in such good company. Enid is just one of three female cricketers invited to join other numerous legends of the game from cricket’s long and illustrious past. These include Viv Richards, Ian Botham and Brian Lara, who was inducted at the same time as Enid and both presented with a framed commemorative cap ... Her successful past has left her regarded as the best all-rounder that the English women’s game has ever produced. Her most memorable moment was in 1976 playing at Lord’s in the ladies’ first televised match against Australia. ‘Despite her recognition, Enid says women still have a long way to go to be accepted into what is traditionally a man’s game. Women are playing more tours now and with sponsorship increasing, as well as media coverage, it is heading in the right direction. There’s still a long way to go for it to be accepted and players to be equal.’ In 2015 Enid was honoured by receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality. ‘Too soon,’ said Enid, ‘I’m playing until I’m 80.’ Once again the Chad was enthusiastic but summed things up well: “She was the first English player to score 100 runs and take ten wickets in the same test. England cricket captain Charlotte Edwards cites her as her inspiration. At 74 she still dons her whites and plays cricket regularly. From playing in the streets during childhood to reaching the pinnacle of sporting success; it is a difficult journey but one that you do hear about now and then. However if you add the details that the child was a girl, who Recognition This image has been removed due to copyright restrictions