Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

79 Chapter Twelve 1980s Enid (and the others) came back from the World Cup having had a good time, but slightly disappointed with the results. Now came time to concentrate on the domestic season again, and Enid played at the end of May in a three-day game for the North against the West, sharing an opening partnership of 150 with Carol Hodges and going on to score 111 out of 279 for six declared. However the West responded with 282 for one declared (Enid 15-3-32-0). The North got 300 for five declared at the second attempt, though Enid was run out for three, and the West ended struggling at 111 for eight (Enid 9-3-18-2). Carol Hodges had a stellar match – 73 and 139, one for 75 and four for 44. In June England Women played the Rest at Reading and made 188 for five (Enid run out 41). The Rest were out for 153 (Enid 7-0-22-0). So Enid was still at this point in the selectors’ minds, and indeed performing as well as anyone. A month later, though, she was playing for the Rest in another three-day game at Fenner’s. The Rest scored 257 for six declared (Enid, opening, 14) and bowled England out for 117, Enid 15-5-35-2). Enid then made 50 as the Rest went to 176 for two before declaring. England hung on to 231 for seven, with Enid having a long bowl, 20-7-54-2. Then in September came a game against Young England. England made 197 for five. Enid made 2, coming in right at the end of the innings. Young England replied with 178 for six, Enid 9-2-35-0. So after a good start it was not a special season. Enid was clearly still a contender for England, but in these seasons with no international visitors it was not very significant. At about this time she started coaching. John Cope organised summer coaching for schoolchildren for Nottinghamshire and invited Enid and the Nottingham wicketkeeper, Gail Donnison, to help at different venues including the outfield at Trent Bridge. In 1983 the season began with a couple of trial games at Warwick University. In the first CJ Watmough’s XI made 90 for six declared, Enid bowling four overs for nine runs, and JM Court’s XI replied with 54 for four in 28 overs, Enid not batting. The following day JM Court’s XI made 118 for nine declared (Enid 12-4-18-1) and JA Brittin’s XI 89 for nine (Enid opening and out for 7). On June 12 England Women played the Rest at Guildford: England 121 for seven (Enid not bowling), The Rest 122 for four (Enid run out for 46).