Women’s XI Arrives

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 19

Women’s XI Arrives

The English women’s cricket team arrived in Christchurch yesterday afternoon fully satisfied with the way the tour of Australia and New Zealand has progressed.

The team enjoyed considerable success in Australia, scoring eight wins in the 14 games played, including a win over each state side. The three tests were drawn.

The captain. Miss R. Heyhoe, considered that the second test in Australia should have been won but for a dropped catch at a vital stage in Australia’s second innings. A journalist from Wolverhampton, Miss Heyhoe is a celebrated cricketer and has scored more than 600 runs on this tour. She was reported in Auckland as saying she dislikes the impression that women have to be in the “Amazon” class to play cricket, and her quiet femininity and small, neat appearance certainly emphasise her view. Asked who she thought had Improved most on the tour she immediately named Mrs E. Bakewell, but said that the whole party had shown improvement. “She is an opening bat and took 53 wickets in 11 matches with her bowling in Australia,” Miss Heyhoe said, referring to Mrs Bakewell’s performances. Better Standard

Miss Heyhoe has been impressed by the standard of cricket in New Zealand, and feels there has been an improvement since she last played against New Zealand in England during the 1966 tour.

England will play Canterbury on Wednesday and Thursday, a President’s XI at Ashburton on Saturday and Monday, and will return to Christchurch for the second test starting on March 7. The team will practise at Hagley Oval today.