Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

59 round the country, following on from Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s side playing men’s teams. At Ilford, a century for Rachael saw England to 231 for six (Enid made 13), and Young England were 102 for seven from 39 overs when it rained so England won on run rate. Enid bowled just one over for six runs. Strangely enough in the middle of the tournament, on July 25 Enid turned out for a Midlands team against the International XI. Details are sparse. The Midlands made 167 and the International XI 168 for seven, Enid taking five for 27. Then a couple of days later it was Trinidad & Tobago at Wolverhampton: the rain held off but the match was played under dark clouds. Trinidad were all out for 59 in 45.5 overs (Enid five overs, one for ten) and England lost two wickets getting there with lots of time to spare: Rachael Heyhoe Flint, playing at home, was 32 not out. The Times commented that it now looked like an ‘Ashes’ affair here with England and Australia effectively playing a final. That left England to play Australia at Edgbaston. The Times managed to mention the game in its summary, and also named the World XI who would play England on the day after it. Australia had not lost a game, though they had one no result: England had lost to New Zealand on run rate. So this was effectively the final, with the winners of the game winning the trophy. It will have been thought before the start that these were the strongest teams, and the fixtures arranged accordingly. England batted, and batted well. Enid and Lynne Thomas put on 101 for the first wicket, and Enid went on to 118 and England to 279 for three. It was an imposing score. Australia started well but fell back and ended on 187 for nine. Enid 1973 World Cup Enid, run out again …