On Thursday 11th July 2024 Kent County Cricket Club hosts the 3rd match in England Women’s Cricket’s IT20 series against New Zealand. Shirley Taylor, who now lives at Ash in East Kent, spent much of her life involved with women’s cricket, and has shared some of her memories with us.

“I lived in Ash from 1975-1977 whilst a student at Nonington College of Physical Education. Whilst there I learnt to play cricket. NCPE students were often recruited by the nearest women’s club, Great Chart^[1], to make up their team for weekend matches. 

“Despite records going back two centuries testifying to women’s participation in the game, it was still something of a novelty to many people. There were just three women’s clubs in Kent and these contributed players to make up the County 1st and 2nd XIs. Beyond county level there were Territorial sides as well as Junior, Young and Full England teams. The game was completely amateur and Representative players had to fund their own travel, accommodation and kit arrangements for training and competing. 

“As a player, I was and remained a club rabbit, but gained some experience of international cricket whilst acting as a nanny to my friend and club mate, June Edney^[2], after the birth of her first child because I felt it was unfair that she should have to give up her international cricket career. June acquired a camper van and collected me from work on a Friday and we would set off to training/ selection weekends all over the country. 

“The Women’s Cricket Association held an annual Cricket Week in Colwall, Worcestershire. This event began in 1926. The first year that I went, there were 14 teams each captained by a current England or Australian International with county, club and novice players distributed evenly across them. It was a rare opportunity for club cricketers to get the chance to play with or against players from the current England team. From events like this and hosting overseas players in our houses we formed friendships nationally and internationally. 

“In 1993, before the term had been invented, I took a gap year, and bought a round-the-world air ticket. Whilst staying with a cricketer in Australia I heard her remark that she might apply for the Aussie manager’s job next time there was a vacancy. I thought to myself, “I could do that”. On my return to the UK some six months later, the England manager’s job was advertised and the first two overseas commitments were for a tour and then a World Cup in India. I loved India and wanted to take people there… It had my name written all over it. 

“Although still largely self-funded, England’s World Cup success at Lord’s in 1993 had brought greater interest and funding into the game. We had some welcome support from the Sports Science department at the University of Brighton, but players still had to contribute towards tour expenses and the support team consisted of myself, a coach and a physiotherapist. Sport England declined to provide any funding unless one body was responsible for administering all cricket.

“On our first tour to India conditions were tough. With only 3 staff and a squad of 14 players, everyone had to work hard. The WCA of India was also an Amateur Association and had had to fund raise to host us. Dinner was usually out from the hotel at a function sponsored by a local dignitary. After a full day’s training competing or travelling it was a big ask to put on formal clothing and smile for England. Volunteers in the UK stayed up all hours to receive match reports and score sheets from me via a telex bureau. They then forwarded them to all the national papers but we were lucky if more than two carried a paragraph. Players had to take turns to sort out the laundry, and travel conditions were far from perfect. One time we were fogbound in Delhi Airport until late evening, when we were due to take the field in Chennai for a Test Match the following day. 

“Twelve months later, after the WCA was sold to the ECB in 1996 for £1, the funding and support for elite players improved. We went to the World Cup with the luxury of a press officer accompanying us, as well as a journalist Pete Davies who was writing a book “Mad Dogs and English Women”^[3] which tells of all our exploits. 

“Over the next two years, we hosted home tours against Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Players were better supported and funded but still amateurs and many of the older ones had difficulty in getting released from their professional commitments to represent England at Cricket. I am delighted for the current crop that they can seriously consider a career in professional cricket with opportunities in marketing, media, coaching and umpiring at the end of it for those who make the grade. 

“After four years I decided to go back into full time teaching. Since that time England Women’s Cricket has become much better funded and promoted. My favourite form of cricket is still the declaration game which is what we played at 2pm every Saturday and Sunday of my youth. Overs cricket was in its infancy and coloured kit an outrage! Whilst I enjoy all formats of the modern game, I find it hard to get excited about Franchise Cricket. With no geographic or territorial representation, I do not know who to support. 

“I would not change my history in the women’s game except of course to have been good enough to be selected for higher teams. It was a fabulous era and has left me with national and global friendships with some amazing cricketers.”

Shirley Taylor 

Taken from an article which first appeared in the Ash-with-Westmarsh Parish magazine for June 2024. Many thanks to Rebecca Smith, editor of the magazine, and Shirley Taylor, for giving us permission to reproduce it.

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^[1] Great Chart is the best part of an hour’s drive from Ash

^[2] June Edney is Kent Women’s Cap number 19

^[3] “Mad Dogs And Englishwomen” by Pete Davies, (Abacus, 1998).