Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

65 Hodges whipped off the bails to end a third-wicket stand of 73.” As so often, there is a report one day and then nothing. They moved on to Edgbaston for the Second Test on July 3. England made 242 for nine declared (Enid 75) and 228 for two declared. Enid made 77 and was run out, while Lynne Thomas, who made 52 and 90, was run out twice, which looks careless. Australia made 236 for seven declared (Enid two for 48 in 31.4 overs) and 169 for six (Enid 12-4-36-2). Nancy Tomkins was there for the Guardian under the heading ‘ Jennings plods to earn draw for Australia’. She said after day two that the Australians’ aversion to spin and to the spin of Enid Bakewell in particular accounted for the slow progress towards England’s first innings 242 for nine declared … the outstanding player of these two days has been Bakewell. After her fine 75 she bowled and fielded with great zest and concluded the day by getting Jennings stumped by Hodges … then with Lynne Thomas took England to 17 without loss by the close. The tempo was, as so often, too slow for a three day game. The Canberra Times printed a photo of ‘Edith Bakewell’ bowling to Judy Tredrea, but, perhaps confused by the fact that it was next to an article on fast bowling, suggested she was ‘putting down a fast ball’. There again the next day, Nancy Tomkins added: A first wicket stand of 164 by Enid Bakewell and Lynne Thomas broke the record 145 of Myrtle McLagan and Betty Snowball made in Sydney 31 years ago. First Thomas, and then Mrs Bakewell, was foolishly run out, Thomas within nine runs of a century and the adventurous Bakewell when Chris Watmough pushed short to mid on. On July 7 Enid turned out for East Midlands, but they were walloped. Australia made 224 for two declared in 50 overs (Enid 13-1-47-0) and East Midlands were out for 73, Enid’s 12 being second top score Back to the Oval for the Third Test on July 24 to 28 (four days being allowed for the first time). England were bowled for 134 which was held together by Lynne Thomas’s 73. Enid, said the Bulletin severely, ‘out to a bad stroke’. Australia made 379 (Enid two for 71) and England then ground out 326 in 246 overs, held together by Rachael Heyhoe Flint who, batting completely against character, made 179 in 521 minutes, possibly the greatest innings ever played in the women’s game. Enid made 14. Once again all three Tests had been drawn. On July 28, the morning of the last day, there was an article in the Guardian by Henry Blofeld (then the chief cricket correspondent) suggesting that ‘even the most charitably disposed would admit that England’s women have had a thoroughly bad three days’, which was true, and holding out little hope of survival. The rest of the team watched hopelessly from the pavilion. Raf Nicholson, in an article in the Nightwatchman, 17 quotes Enid: June Stephenson was so nervous she could not abide sitting around doing nothing, so she started to sweep the floor. At first we tried to get her to sit 17 The Nightwatchman, Issue 17 1973 to 1976