Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

92 Chapter Seventeen 1986 onwards Following the debate after the Unicorns tour in South Africa, Enid and the rest of the squad were banned from international cricket for the season. That was perhaps no great matter for her, as she had been out of the international reckoning for a year or two. This was the year of an Indian tour, though it was not a very satisfactory year and the Indians proved weaker than expected. They also seem to have grumbled; being good middle class Indian girls they were presumably used to a rather better standard of accommodation than was provided for WCA matches! Enid did not even play for East Midlands against them. In February East Midlands won the first WCA inter-county indoor tournament. It is not clear whether Enid played, butshe did play the odd game in 1986. There was a commemorative match for an England Invitation XI against ‘Bramley Women 1745’. Bramley made 186 for seven declared (Enid 6-1-25-0), England 187 for seven (Enid, opening, run out 19). Enid had organised the match and the WCA News has a picture of her with her father and daughter Lorna. And she played an Area game, a Pool A game against East Anglia with no result, East Midlands scoring 95 for seven (Enid 31) before it rained. This was played as a long weekend tournament, ruined by the weather, and it seems this was the only time Enid batted in the tournament. However East Midlands again won the junior six-a-side tournament with Enid’s coaching. Travelling was always something of an adventure. There were certainly no sponsored cars in those days. By now Enid had a Ford Escort but for the six-a-side tournament where she was moving the juniors she borrowed her dad’s car. On one occasion the automatic gearbox blew, Enid had to go back for her Ford Escort and the team had to set off very early in the morning rather than arriving in plenty of time the day before the tournament. Australia toured in 1987 and beat England comprehensively. Enid was no longer in international reckoning but did play against the Australians for East Midlands. Australia won by seven wickets, East Midlands making 78 (Enid 25). She then bowled five overs for 13 as Australia made 79 for three. East Midland Juniors won the six a side for the third year running, and the senior team won an eight-a-side indoor tournament with Enid in the side. Nottingham were beaten by Wolverhampton in the club knockout: Wolverhampton 117 for eight (Enid three for 23 in eight overs), Nottingham 107 for two (Enid 70 not out). She still seemed to be carrying the club side, and indeed the Area side. On May 16 East Midlands made 230 for six (Enid 57), Thames Valley 153 for eight.