Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

64 1973 to 1976 would be sponsored by Unigate under the St Ivel name. It also carried a warning that great interest is being shown at present by the press in women’s cricket. Some photographers are out to obtain bizarre pictures. Everyone therefore needs to take precautions to ensure that there are no more photos inside dressing-rooms ! Apparently the Daily Express had managed to get a photo of the Australian team in the process of changing – in the public ladies’ cloakroom as that was all they were allowed to use. Enid, who this year would be Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s vice-captain, played against the Australians rather a lot. On June 13 she appeared for the North, captaining the side. She took two for 35 as Australia was bowled out for 148, then carried her bat for 98 not out in a total of 125 – there was a last wicket stand of 38, but Joan Lee could not stay quite long enough to get Enid to her 100. Australia went in again and made 149 for none declared (Enid bowling only three overs for nine runs) and the North replied with 125 for two of which Enid made 81 before being run out. Then came a Test match at Old Trafford, starting on 19 June: it is a clear sign of the rising profile of women’s cricket that all three Tests were played at major grounds. Enid says For this match I sat at lunch talking to Raelee Thompson. Raelee opened the Australian bowling with Sharon Tredrea. Sharon was consistently straight and fast, while Raelee swung the ball away. I vowed I would not open again after that! Australia batted and made 273 for six declared (Enid 14-2-28-1), England 254 for six declared (Enid out for one, caught at slip off Raelee Thompson, and a century for Rachael Heyhoe Flint). But play was lost to rain, the tempo was too slow for a result and Australia ended with 128 for six (Enid 11-5-11-3). The Guardian carried a report on the first day and mentions: Finally Enid Bakewell tempted [Janet Tredrea, sister of Sharon] forward and This image has been removed due to copyright restrictions