On December 28 in 1934, Women’s Cricket witnessed its first-ever test match. Played between Australia and England in Brisbane, the match was a three-day competition with a rest day on December 30. Choosing to bat first, Australia was bowled out for 47 with Kath Smith’s score of 25 being the only double-digit scorer for the team that saw four ducks in the innings.
The star of the innings both with the ball and bat was Myrtle Maclagan. Sending 7 Australians back, Maclagan gave just 10 runs in the 17 overs she bowled. Her spell is to date the fourth-best figure in an innings of the Women’s Test. While with the bat she scored the first half-century of the women’s test (72) in the first innings which helped England set a lead of 107 runs before being bowled out on 154 on the second day of the match.
87 Years ago, #OnThisDay
The first-ever Women’s Test was played between Australia and England.
England went on to beat Australia by 9 Wickets at Brisbane. #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/91HbBZAPDP
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 28, 2021
What Maclagan did with the ball for England, Anne Palmer did for Australia. Recording the fifth-best spell in an innings of women’s test to date, Palmer also took 7 wickets giving 18 runs in 13.2 overs. By the end of the second day, Australia had lost half their side at 99 in the second innings. Though, coming back refreshed after a rest day, the Aussies failed to score big with Essie Shevill being the lone fighter with an unbeaten 63 while the side collapsed for 138, setting a target of just 32 runs for the English women. This time it was Mary Spear who recorded a five-wicket haul in 34 overs giving 15 runs. The visitors were able to chase the target one ball less than 13 overs with the loss of just one wicket, thus becoming the first winner of a Women’s test match.
England went on to win the 2nd test of the three-Test series as well while the last one ended in a draw.
Summary:
Date- December 28-31, 1934 (Dec. 30- Rest day)
Venue- Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
Toss- Australia who chose to Bat
- First Innings:
Australia- 47
England-154
- Second Innings:
Australia- 138
England- 34/1
- Top Performers:
England:
Myrtle Maclagan: 7-10 & 72
Mary Spear: 5-15
Australia:
Anne Palmer: 7-18
Essie Shevill: 63*
Result- England won by 9 wickets
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