Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

80 1980s In August Enid took part in a ‘Jubilee Tournament’ with four invited teams, playing for East Midlands against Middlesex. Middlesex made 242 for four declared (Enid 10-1-43-2), East Midlands 177 for seven of which Enid made 61. Then late in the season she played for a Middlesex President’s XI against Middlesex, the President’s XI making 171 for five declared (Enid run out 13), Middlesex 154 for nine (Enid 9-2-27-0). Dismissed ‘run out’ was becoming something of a theme in Enid’s career. Always ready for a short run, she might have been slowing down slightly at over 40. She told her side of the story recently: ‘Today I have watched the England versus Pakistan game and it was very interesting to watch the England girls run so quickly between the wickets. At club level I got to play with Pauline Richardson who worked for Boots checking out and helping Boots employees who were off work. Pauline was a bonny lass but in spite of being overweight could play Midlands badminton and cricket and played in goal once for the England ladies’ hockey team at Wembley. We could run quick singles - we played together so often Pauline would raise her eyebrows to signal she wanted to run a quick single. I never managed to establish the same degree of understanding with any other player. At Midlands and club level I then opened with Wendy Watson, a left hand bat - Pauline was right handed - so quick singles meant the opposition bowlers had to re-think each ball for Wendy.I had to shout because Wendy was slightly deaf: but she could beat me at table tennis with either left or right hand. She later coached at England level. Wendy was a great student of the game. Her friend Kimberley Roberts was a more natural player with flair, but not as confident as Wendy and did not study the Enid at Nottingham in the 1980s, seated left.