Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

60 1973 World Cup bowled her 12 overs and took two for 28. Gerry Harrison reported the final for the Times: Had there been a woman of the match award, it would undoubtedly have gone to Mrs Bakewell, of Nottingham, whose contributions were a chanceless 118, two victims bowled, one caught, and one superb run out. All this from a mother of three small children with seemingly limitless energy. It went on to say that it was still doubtful whether such a competition could be repeated: who was going to pay for it? In Australia they were more positive, and Wicket Women 16 is interesting on the impact of the tournament. The male-dominated media was confused by it. One Australian story on the final was headlined Bakewell cooks up a mum’s special. Those who actually watched were rather impressed and the tournament gathered enough attention to interest the sponsors which were needed if there were to be another such event. The Canberra Times said: The women’s world cricket cup, which ended last weekend in victory for England, should act as a guide for the men when they stage a similar competition in 1975. Cynics who thought women’s cricket would fail to attract any interest were proved wrong and many experts were surprised by the high standard of play. With the exception of fast bowling, which does not exist in the true sense, the women displayed skills which would not have been out of place in male strongholds. England, which scored 1,054 runs in six matches at an average of 3.91 runs an over, won because of its consistent batting with opener Enid Bakewell scoring centuries in the first and last matches and captain Rachel Flint a reliable number three. The day after the final England played a World XI. There was a report in the Guardian by Nancy Tomkins: England’s match against the World was anti- climax after their excellent performance in winning the World Cup final against Australia on Saturday… On Saturday Enid Bakewell and Lynne Thomas gave England a fine start. Mrs Bakewell made an immaculate 118 before departing lbw to Miriam Knee. Against the World England fielded first and sometimes showed signs of their overnight celebrations … although Enid Bakewell was caught at the wicket for ten off a rising ball from Norah St Rose . But they still won fairly easily, keeping the World to 186 for seven (Enid 12 overs for one for 30) and scoring 187 for three. Overall Enid topped the averages for the tournament with a batting average of 88. Her bowling was handy rather than decisive, with overall four wickets for 91 from 30 overs. Nancy Tomkins wrote a long piece in the Guardian about the World Cup, suggesting that it was a great success in terms of PR. The WCA Year Book for 1974 was more forthright. On the publicity front we have made our mark, but the foundations laid this summer must be cemented and built on in the future. On the financial side we failed abysmally. With all expenses 16 Wicket women, Richard Cashman and Amanda Weaver, NSW University Press, 1991