Women first played cricket in South Africa as early as 1920. In that year the Peninsula Girls’ School Cricket Union was formed. Twelve years later, in 1932, the Peninsula Ladies’ Cricket Council was formed and shortly afterwards in 1934 – they affiliated to the English Women’s Cricket Association. In those days the English Women’s Cricket Association was recognised as a world body.

In view of and thanks to the early enthusiasm for cricket in the Western Province, South Africa formed its own national body in 1953, namely the South Africa & Rhodesia Women’s Cricket Association, after a few enthusiasts had revived the game in the Transvaal and an interim committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Eric Rowan had done the spadework in forming of the national body since April 14th, 1952.

As early as 1947 Transvaal formed its own provincial association. Two Transvaal teams were sent to play against Rhodesia in 1950/1951.

The formation of the provincial associations was: 1934 – Western Province; 1947 – Southern Transvaal; 1950 – Border, Eastern Province, Natal, Northern Transvaal, Griqualand, Rhodesia and Orange Free State.

Whilst cricket had previously been played by girls in schools. It was officially introduced in the Transvaal by Shirley Carroll in the 1961/1962 season and the Schoolgirls Association was formed in that year. Natal followed suit and very recently Border and Western Province have a few staunch schools playing.

The presidents of the South African & Rhodesia Women’s Cricket Association since its formation have been:

February, 1953 to January, 1955 – Miss Jo Field
January, 1955 to January, 1957 – Miss Flo Adlard
January, 1957 to March 1967 – Miss Marjorie Robison
March, 1967 – Miss Shirley Carroll

As a starting point of women’s cricket one can almost legitimately take the fourteenth century.

From the miniatures reproduced in a Picard romance “The Romance of Alexander” the margins of which were illuminated circa 1344 by one Johan de Grise one of these illustrates the ancestress of women’s cricket to be a nun holding a ball. She is faced by a monk who brandishes a club.

Women used the round arm action first in the 1820′s. Christina Willes bowled the first round arm ball. To quote: “Christina Willes was sister to John’ Willes, Kentish squire and patron of all manly sports and now of immortal memory, since his tombstone stands engraved for all to see “He was the first to introduce round-armed bowling in cricket.” In appears that while Mr. Willes, keen cricketer that he was, was convalescing from an illness, he used to induce his sister to throw a ball at him for practice in the barn of his home at Tomford, near Canterbury. She did so – with a high-handed action that avoided entanglement in the voluminous skirts of the period.

He was so struck by her success that he forthwith adopted the style himself and devoted the remainder of his cricketing days to securing its recognition. But it was an uphill battle – the effort cost him his patience and cricket one of its most devoted adherents. In a famous match at Lord’s in 1822, playing for Kent against the M.C.C. – the story has often been told – he was no-balled by Noah Mann for bowling his newfangled stuff. He threw down the ball, jumped on his horse and rode away, out of Lord’s declaring he would never play again. Nor did he, though his sister’s invention was made law six years later.

1947 – Eileen Hurly hit the first recorded century in South Africa in her first league game at the age of thirteen.
1947 – First “unofficial” provincial games played when two Southern Transvaal teams played Rhodesia in Johannesburg.
1951 – The inaugural inter-provincial game was played between Western Province and Southern Transvaal at Liesbeek Park in Cape Town.
1952/1953 – First interprovincial tournament held in Bloemfontein.
1953 – Formation of the South Africa & Rhodesia Women’s Cricket Association.
1953/1954 – First recorded inter-provincial century by Eileen Hurley – 106 not out.
1953/1954 – First recorded hattrick (a double hat-trick) by Sheila Nefdt in Cape Town for Western Province.
1958 – The South African and Rhodesia Women’s Cricket Association president, Miss Marjorie Robison took the chair of the inaugural International Women’s Cricket Council conference in Australia, she herself becoming the president of the international body in 1963.

Back Row (left to right): Barbara Cairncross, Eleanor Lambert, Yvonne van Mentz, Lorna Ward.
Middle Row: Jean McKenzie, Pam Hollett, Jennifer Gove
Front Row: Audrey Jackson, Sheila Nefdt, Marjory Robinson (manageress), Eileen Hurly, Jean McNaughton, Joy Irwin

1960 – First bowler recorded to take all ten wickets in a provincial tournament – Doris TenCate who took ten wickets for 26 runs and also scored 148 runs.
1960 – Selection of the first Springbok team B. Cairncross, J. Cove, P. Hollett, E. Hurley, J. Irwin, A. Jackson, E. Lambert, J. McNaughton, S. Nefdt, Y. von Mentz, L. Ward (Played in all four test matches against the touring English team)

Still playing in 1970. Further “caps” for the tour were: P. Klesser, D. Wood, B. Lang and M. Payne.
1960 – First international game in Port Elizabeth against English women’s cricket team.
1960 – First cricketing double-Springbok – Jean McNaughton (also a hockey Springbok at the time).
Jan., 1961 – First South African international century by Yvonne von Mentz – 105 not out in the fourth test against England, although Eileen Hurley in the first test ran out of partners at 96 not out. Result of the English tour – Three test matches drawn and one won by England.
1968/1969 – Dutch women’s cricket team toured South Africa when England was unable to fulfil fixtures at the last moment. The Springbok team was: S. Carroll, B. Clowes, E. Cohen, S. Edwards, J. Gove, C. Gildenhuys, E. Hurley* (Captain), S. Johnson (i), P. Lankenau, L. van der Maas (2), L. Ward*, G. Williamson. (Whilst this was a full Springbok team, only half colours were awarded in view of the brevity of the tour.) (*also members of the 1960 Springbok team), ((i) – injured in the second test and replaced by (2).

Result of the Dutch tour – All test matches won outright by South Africa.

The “Simon Trophy” was presented to Southern Transvaal Association by Tilly Mary Simon to hand over to the South African Association as soon as this was formed and to be competed for at inter-provincial cricket tournaments. This trophy is competed for annually by provincial teams, as in the men’s Currie Cup, the winners of the trophy thus far being:
1952 Western Province
1953 Western Province
1954 Western Province
1955 Southern Transvaal
1956 Natal
1957 Eastern Province
1958 Southern Transvaal
1959 Southern Transvaal
1960 Natal
1961 Not presented in view of the English tour
1962 Southern Transvaal
1963 Eastern Province
1964 Natal
1965 Natal
1966 Southern Transvaal
1967 Natal
1968 Southern Transvaal
1969 Southern Transvaal
1970 Southern Transvaal

Executive 1970

CARROLL, SHIRLEY PATRICIA

Shirley was born in Durban, the daughter of Mr. Patrick J. Carroll. She was trained overseas in physical education, but now has her own business. She belongs to the Jesters Club and when there’s time she swims, plays tennis, rides and listens to classical music and the operas. She first attained provincial colours when she represented Southern Transvaal in 1962 and Springbok colours in the 1968/69 season when she played in all tests against Holland. She represented South Africa as delegate at the International Cricket Council in New Zealand in 1969. Shirley played county cricket in England before coming to South Africa. Within the first few months of her arrival in this country she was asked to “do something” about cricket in schools as she was the one who had pointed out how important this media was for adult cricket. She accepted this challenge and as a result her brainchild, the Southern Transvaal Schoolgirls Association, was formed in 1961; and by 1970 eleven schools were competing a league. In 1962 she was elected to the Southern Transvaal executive committee and in 1964 became chairman of the association.

The year 1967 saw her elected as president of the South Africa and Rhodesian Women’s Cricket Association and she was instrumental in bringing the Dutch Women’s Touring Team to South Africa. In 1970 she visited England for an important meeting with the English Women’s Cricket Association.

LINTON-WALLS, PAMELA RUTH

Pamela is now in her third two-year term of office as the secretary of the South Africa and Rhodesia Women’s Cricket Association. Before 1967 she acted as secretary of the Southern Transvaal Women’s Cricket Association. She was born on the 3rd February, 1938 in Plumstead, Cape Town, and is the daughter of Mr. Leonard Linton-Walls. She attended the Central High School, Krugersdorp, and is at present secretary to a managing director. She is a founder member of the Jesters Women’s Cricket Club and also played hockey. She attained provincial colours when she was included in the Transvaal “B” Cricket Team. She acted as Manager/Liaison Officer during the tour of S.A. by the Dutch Women’s Cricket team in 1968. Pamela resides at 18 Paul Kruger Drive, Monument Extension, Krugersdorp.

HURLY, EILEEN MARY ANN

Eileen, the daughter of James William Hurly, was born on the 6th May, 1934, at Benoni. She attended the Dominican Convent, Benoni, and is today an insurance broker. She has devoted many years to cricket. Not only has she attained 105 provincial caps and seven Springbok caps, and still playing, but served eight years on the Transvaal executive committee – five years as treasurer, two years as vice-chairman and one year as chairman. She was appointed a life member of the Southern Transvaal Association in 1968. She has devoted eight years service to the national body, the South African and Rhodesian Women’s Cricket Association first as treasurer and in 1969 she was appointed vice-chairman. Eileen captained South Africa in the 1968 series. In gratitude for her unselfish and devoted service to the game she loves and plays so well, she has also been appointed an honorary life member of the national body. She belongs to the Johannesburg Municipal Sports Club and is a top order batsman and fielder. She first attained provincial colours in 1947 when she represented Southern Transvaal. She won her Springbok colours in the 1960/61 season against England and the 1968/69 series against Holland . Her brother, Charlie, is a Springbok soccer player. Eileen resides at 16 Durham Street, Benoni.
ROBISON, MARJORY RUTH
Marjory was born on the 1st October, 1918, in Galle, Ceylon, and is the daughter of Mr. Lionel McD. Robison. She attended the Collegiate Girls’ School in Port Elizabeth and the London University where she obtained a diploma and is at present a manager/administrating assistant. She was manager of the Women’s Cricket Team in the 1960/61 season. She was also the chairman of the Southern Transvaal Women’s Cricket Association for ten years and the president of the South Africa and Rhodesia Women’s Cricket Association for the same number of years. She was the vice-president of the International Women’s Cricket Association for two years and the president of the association for two years. Her home address is 135 Harrogate, Tyrwhitt Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Springboks 1968 – 1970

CLOWES, BARBARA LYNN
Barbara is an opening bat and first obtained her provincial colours when she represented Natal in the 1965/66 season. She was chosen for the South African Cricket XI in 1968. Barbara was born on the 27th August, 1942, and is the daughter of Mr. George D. Clowes. She attended the Wykeham Girls’ High School in Pietermaritzburg and is a clerk. Her hobbies include tennis, swimming, reading and knitting, and she resides at 1 Meleman Place, Blackridge, Pietermaritzburg.

COHEN, EDA

Eda is an all round sportswoman who has achieved a great deal in her 22 years. She attained provincial colours for three sports and won Springbok colours for two. In 1964 and from 1966 to 1969 she played American Basketball for Southern Transvaal; from 1967 to 1969, cricket and in the years 1968 and 1969 she also represented Southern Transvaal at hockey. She was first chosen to represent South Africa at American basketball in 1967 and was included in the Springbok team in 1968 and 1969. She won her national colours at women’s cricket in 1968 and also represented her country in 1969. Apart from all these activities she still finds time to listen to music and read. Eda was born on the 28th of September, 1948, in Johannesburg, and is the daughter of Harry Cohen. She attended King David School, Linksfield, and studied at the Johannesburg College of Education where she obtained her teacher’s diploma. She is a teacher. She is a member of the Wanderers Club and resides at 306 Crestview, 42 Alexandra Street, Berea , Johannesburg.
EDWARDS, SALLY ELLEN

Sally was born in Pretoria on the 8th August, 1946, and is the daughter of Mr. Ronald A. Edwards. She was educated at the Pretoria Girls’ High School and subsequently obtained the Transvaal Teachers’ Diploma at the Johannesburg College of Education. Sally is fond of music, plays the piano and guitar and reads a great deal when she can find the time. She is a member of the Old Girls’ Hockey Club, Pretoria , and the J.C.E. Cricket Club in Johannesburg. While still at school she played in the Northern Transvaal Schools Hockey Team. In 1966, ‘67 and ‘68 she represented Southern Transvaal’s women’s cricket team and won her Springbok colours at women’s cricket in 1968 when she represented South Africa against the Netherlands. Sally inherits her love of sport from her father, who captained the North-Eastern Transvaal Cricket and Hockey teams. Her brother, Neill, plays hockey for Southern Transvaal. Sally resides at 80 Eeufees Avenue, Nigel.
GILDENHUYS, CAROLE ANNE

Carole was born in Port Elizabeth on the 19th November, 1943, the daughter of Mr. Frederick Gildenhuys. She attended Florida Park High School and after matriculating obtained her diploma at the Johannesburg College of Education. She is at present a lecturer in physical education – and her hobbies are reading and music. She belongs to the Wanderer Hockey Club and the Collegians Cricket Club. She attained her provincial colours when she represented Southern Transvaal at cricket in 1963 and her Springbok colours when she was included in the South African XI in 1968. She also played hockey for Southern Transvaal in 1968. Carole resides at 31 Barnard Street, Ontdekkers Park, Florida.

GOVE, JENNIFER ANNE
Jennifer is a keen sportswoman and has attained provincial colours for no less than three sports. This leaves her very little spare time, but she still finds time to swim, cook and listen to music. She was born on the 28th of July, 1940, in Durban and is the daughter of Mr. Donavan Ross. She attended Northlands Girls’ High and is at present a cash machine operator. She attained her provincial colours for hockey and cricket. representing Natal in 1959, and for squash in 1964. She won Springbok colours at cricket in 1961 and represented South Africa against the Netherlands in 1968. Jennifer’s twin sister also plays hockey and cricket. Her home address is 1 Brynderyn, Hime Road, Durban.
JOHNSON, SHIRLEY-ANNE

Shirley was born in Port Elizabeth on the 2nd February, 1938, and is the daughter of H. A. Symonds. She attended the Girls High School in Queenstown and is at present a credit controller. Shirley is fond of music and sport. She played hockey for Natal in 1960 and in 1962 and 1965 she represented the Free State. She also dived for the Griqualand West Schools in 1954. In 1959 she played cricket for the Border, in 1960 for Natal and in 1963 for the Free State. She represented the Transvaal in 1964, 1967 and 1969 and was a member of the Springbok team that played against the Netherlands in 1968. Her address is 15 Radoma Court, Cavendish Road, Bellevue, Johannesburg.
LANKENAU, PATRICIA

Patricia hails from Grimsby, England. She was born on the 2nd August, 1942, and is the daughter of Mr. James Lankenau. She matriculated at the Rosebank Convent and studied at the Johannesburg Teachers’ Training College. She teaches physical education. Only months after she gained her first provincial cap for Transvaal , Patricia was selected to represent her country in 1968. Apart from cricket she also represented Souther Transvaal at netball from 1962 to 1965. She is a an all round sportswoman, who in addition to the above mentioned, plays badminton, table tennis, tennis and hockey. Her address is Redhill School, P.O. Sandown, Johannesburg.
VAN DER MAAS, LYNN LILLIAN

Lynn was first included in a Southern Transvaal Women’s Cricket XI in the 1963-64 season. She won her Springbok colours in January, 1969. She was born in Johannesburg on the 8th June, 1945, the daughter of Mr. J. C. D. van der Maas. She went to school at Forest High and after matriculation attended the Witwatersrand Technical College to prepare herself for a business career. She is at present a secretary. Apart from her interest in sport she likes to listen to records and reads a lot. She is a member of the Johannesburg Municipals Club and resides at 14 Minerva Avenue, Glendower, Edenvale, Transvaal.

WARD, LORNA GRACE
Lorna was born in ” Port Elizabeth on the 3rd June, 1938, and is the daughter of Mr. A. G. Ward. She is a statistical analyst and her hobbies include sculpting, gardening, and pottering around backstage at the theatre. She has represented Eastern Province, Natal, Southern Transvaal and South Africa at cricket. She is an opening bowler and first won her Springbok colours in the 1960/61 season and represented South Africa against the Netherlands in 1968. Dogs are Lorna’s favourite pets and she has a golden Labrador and a black and white Cocker Spaniel. Lorna lives at 27 22nd Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg.

WILLIAMSON, GLORIA

Gloria was born on the 7th December, 1938, at Roodepoort, and is the daughter of Mr. Herman “Menna” Williamson. She attended the Florida Park High School and continued her studies at the Johannesburg College of Education and is pre sently a teacher. Apart from sport she finds pleasure in black and white sketching. She attained her Transvaal colours for swimming in 1958 and her Southern Transvaal colours for gymnastics in 1959 and cricket in 1960. She became a member of the Southern Transvaal “A” cricket team in 1962. She was chosen to represent South Africa at cricket in December, 1968. Gloria hails from a sporting family. Her father played soccer for Northern Rhodesia and hockey for Witwatersrand. Her cousin, Reggie Marchant, represented Northern Transvaal at athletics, and her cousin, George Fraser, is a Western Province schools’ boxer and gymnast. Gloria resides at 44 Cahn Street, Roodepoort.
LIST OF SPRINGBOKS 1960-1970
1960 – English team that toured South Africa: Eleanor Lambert, Pat Klesser, Delcie Wood, Eileen Hurly, Yvonne von Mentz, Barbara Cairncross, Pamela Hollett, Jean McNaughton, Jennifer Gove, Joy Irwin, Lorna Ward, Maureen Payne, Audrey Jackson, Beverley Lang, Sheila Nefdt.
1968 – Springbokspan teen Nederland/Springbok team against Holland: Shirley Carroll, Barbara Clowes, Eda Cohen, Sally Edwards, Carole Gildenhuys, Jennifer Gove, Eileen Hurly, Shirley Johnson, Patricia Lankenau, Lynn van der Maas, Lorna Ward, Gloria Williamson.

Sports Personalities South Africa 1971. Published by Perskor
Die Burger

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