On the 4 August, 1976, England’s women cricketers did one-day cricket proud at ‘the home of cricket ‘. The first time women had been permitted to play on the hallowed square at Lord’s.
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England defeated Australia by eight wickets to level the three-match 60 over series. An enthusiastic crowd, larger than that of many mid-week county matches, watched Australia make 161 in 59.4 overs, and England reply with a match winning score of 162 for 2 in 56.2 overs.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Clearly nervous in the heady Lord’s atmosphere, Australia had a disastrous first hour, but was later rescued later by Sharon Tredrea, supported by Wendy Hills, with Tredrea hitting as powerfully as a man, the pair combined to change the shape of the game. With the last Australian pair, Marie Lutschini and Wendy Blunsden, added a further 32 runs for the last wicket.
With England chasing runs against the fast bowling of Sharon Tredrea and the left-arm medium of Anne Gordon, Enid Bakewell and Lynne Thomas gave England a fine start, scoring 85 before a mix-up resulted in Enid Bakewell being run out for 50. She was succeeded by the left-hander Chris Watmough, who gave a fine display of batting, hitting eight fours, supporting the captain, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, in a partnership of 69.
England 162 for 2 [ Bakewell 50 – Watmough 50 not out]. Australia 161 [Tredrea 54]
4 August, 2019