Alice Davidson-Richards’ journey through cricket has been shaped by her father’s immense love for the game and their shared bond.
Growing up in Kent, Alice’s earliest memories of cricket involve her father, who, being a cricket enthusiast from Yorkshire, introduced her to the sport. Her dad became her biggest supporter and driving force, nurturing her talent from a young age. Alice’s rise in cricket coincided with playing alongside England teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt and her academic journey took her to the University of Leeds.
Alice made her domestic debut in 2010 for Kent during the Women’s Twenty20 (T20) Cup. She had an extraordinary start, taking 10 wickets and finishing as the second joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Her domestic performances led her to represent Yorkshire Diamonds in the Women’s Cricket Super League, where she consistently shone with the ball. In both 2017 and 2018, she emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker for her team. Following her domestic successes, Alice earned her England T20 International (T20I) debut in 2018 against Australia, followed by her ODI debut against India the same year.
Despite her promise, Alice found limited opportunities with the national team until 2022, when she made her Test debut against South Africa. In this one-off match, Alice made a record-breaking start by scoring 107 in her first Test innings and claiming a wicket. Remarkably, she became the first England cricketer to score a hundred and take a wicket on Test debut since WG Grace in 1880, adding her name to a historic milestone.
Alice’s father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease was diagnosed in 2021. As her father’s health deteriorated, Alice became an advocate for raising awareness of Alzheimer’s. She supported initiatives through the Alzheimer’s Society and the Professional Cricketers’ Association, providing counseling and support for those affected.
By late 2022, her father’s condition worsened, confining him to a wheelchair, and Alice continued her advocacy, participating in awareness campaigns, including a partnership between the England and Wales Cricket Board and Alzheimer’s Society in 2023. Sadly, Alice’s father passed away on November 9, 2023.
Alice Davidson reflects, “You get told grief takes a long time. I’m definitely learning that for sure.”
Alice’s journey in cricket reflects not only her resilience as an athlete but also the emotional strength she has drawn from her family, especially her father. Her ability to balance the highs of international cricket with the deeply personal struggle of witnessing her father’s decline due to Alzheimer’s has been both inspiring and poignant.
Throughout her career, Alice has always credited her father for sparking her love for cricket. His pride in her achievements, especially her unforgettable century on Test debut, remained one of the few memories he held onto, even as his condition worsened.
Alice’s advocacy for Alzheimer’s awareness has added another dimension to her cricketing journey, as she channeled her pain into a cause that benefits others facing similar challenges.