Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

70 Enid could not go to the World Cup at the beginning of 1978. It was a low point, as only four teams took part and India and New Zealand were conspicuously weak, meaning England reached the final where they were thrashed by Australia, who won with eight wickets and 18 overs to spare. In January, though, the Bulletin announced that Jack Hayward had resigned as patron: the sacking of Rachael Heyhoe Flint had had disastrous results for the WCA. Then in May 1978 the Bulletin announced the players invited to a ‘National Selection Weekend’. Enid was included, and so was Rachael (listed as ‘R Flint’). The same edition included an announcement that Mrs Rachael Heyhoe Flint had sent them a list of fixtures for fundraising matches to be played by the British Airways International Women’s XI; the funds from which would go to the WCA. The June 1978 edition included a letter from Rachael Heyhoe Flint explaining what was happening with the money. The WCA had found it necessary now to go to a PR company. In June 1978 West Women played North Women (Enid captained the North). She bowled economically (12-5-32-0 and 14-7-28-0) and made 64 and 78. Rachael Heyhoe Flint (playing for the West) captained the side, kept wicket and scored 89 not out and 111 not out, which could have been a nudge to the selectors. A week later East Midlands played Surrey and were well beaten; though Enid took two for 26 they lost by eight wickets. At the beginning of 1979 the Bulletin was announcing squads for training, and both Rachael and Enid were included, and by June 1979 they were both back in the England Women’s team against the West Indies. The West Indies visit had been arranged for earlier, but finances kept them away until 1979. The WCA had been unable to find a major sponsor for the tour After ‘76