Lives in Cricket No 49 - Enid Bakewell

96 1986 onwards what hard work it was for them. East Anglia were crushed: East Midlands 315 for two (Enid 35 retired hurt, Wendy Watson 147 not out), East Anglia 122 (Enid 8-0-20-2). Middlesex too were rolled over, East Midlands making 287 for six (Enid not called on) and Middlesex 128 (Enid 8.1.-0-39-3). The final against Yorkshire was much closer. East Midlands made 200 for five (Enid eight) and Yorkshire were all out for 196 (Enid 11-2-28-1). Nottingham again won the indoor six a side juniors. East Midlands were very strong (having won the Area championship twice running) and three players – Jo Chamberlain, Wendy Watson and Karen Smithies – played in the England squad which won the European Cup this year. There would be no more international cricket for Enid. However, there was a lot more than cricket going on this year for Enid. Now in her 50th year, she was about to see some major changes in her life. Her career at the highest level was over, though she would play top level domestic cricket for a few years yet. She had come close to selection again in 1988, but that would be the last time and she would concentrate more on her coaching.