1975 CWC: Ladies first—how T&T and Jamaica women beat WI men to global limited-over stage

(Part two.) With 49 days to go to the 50th anniversary of West Indies’ triumph over Australia at Lord’s in the 1975 World Cup final, it is appropriate to acknowledge that this grand occasion was not the first global limited-over cricket tournament.

That honour goes to the women’s game which staged an international event two years earlier in England, with the hosts claiming the title ahead of Australia. They defeated their arch-rivals in the decisive final league game of a five-week, round-robin competition.

England captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint lifts the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy.
(via BBC.)

West Indies were not one of the seven teams involved as a regional representative side for women had yet to be established. However, it was the flags of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica which flew at the tournament as squads led by Louise Browne and Yolande Geddes-Hall respectively ensured a Caribbean presence.

Not surprisingly, given their lack of exposure to the international game at that time, they struggled against England, Australia and New Zealand—but they were more competitive against Young England and an International XI.

That international team featured three West Indians who did not make their nations’ final squads in Gloria Farrell and Donna Carmino of Trinidad and Tobago together with Jamaican Paulette Lynch.

The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Team en route to the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup in England.
(via ESPN.)

Five South African players were initially included in the International XI but were withdrawn after Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica threatened to pull out of the competition in protest.

This of course was during South Africa’s isolation from international cricket which ran from 1970 to their re-entry in late 1991, due to the country’s racist apartheid policy at the time.

Trinidad and Tobago won two of their six matches, defeating Young England by five wickets and just getting past the Jamaicans by two wickets in a low-scoring Caribbean derby—Browne’s unbeaten 50 at the top of the order ensured they managed to overhaul a modest target of 98 with almost 12 overs to spare.

Allrounder Jane Joseph scored an unbeaten 23 to go with bowling figures of 10-7-7-3, as Trinidad beat Young England in 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup action at Cambridge on 14 July 1973.
(via Patrick Eager/ Guardian.)

Like the first men’s World Cup two years later, matches were played 60 overs-per-side.

Jamaica’s lone victory came by a margin of 23 runs over Young England.

With almost no financial assistance given to the women’s game then, this first event only came about via the personal sponsorship of millionaire English businessman Jack Hayward, who had initially been persuaded by a “begging” letter from England captain Rachel Heyhoe Flint for an earlier tour of Jamaica.

International cricket at the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup in England.
(via BBC.)

None of the major international venues were used, except for that final game as Heyhoe Flint lifted the trophy in front of a packed grandstand at Edgbaston, following the 92-run whipping of the Aussies.

A modest start, but a start nevertheless… two years before the men.

Inspired by the Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica showings at the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup, the West Indies Women’s Team played their first international match in 1976.
(via CWI Media.)

Next: How limited-over cricket came about.

More from Wired868
Vaneisa: How number 27 blew away West Indies cricket; the answer, my friend…

There didn’t seem to be much point in writing about the ignominious end to the Test series between West Indies Read more

Dear Editor: West Indies Cricket is dead—even with Shai in squad, this is Hopeless

“[…] Being humiliated is nothing new to West Indians born mid-1980s and later. But this 27 all out feels different—this Read more

Dear Editor: You could pick who you want as coach and captain—WI problems run deep

“[…] You could pick who you want at this point in time. You could pick whatever coach, he could come Read more

Dear Editor: Can Shallow and Sammy take WI cricket forward? Then why are they still there?!

“[…] Is this just another day in the office? Do you guys not have standards—pride in yourselves, and pride in Read more

‘Progress rarely straightforward’; CWI call ‘emergency meeting’ after WI bowled out for 27

“[…] Progress is rarely straightforward… We have already seen encouraging signs, particularly with the ball… Now is the time to Read more

Wiaan who? Joy and concern in West Indies after South African captain’s Lara decision

Cricket connoisseurs had little doubt. If, in the last 15 years,  anybody was going to break Brian Lara’s 400 not Read more

Check Also

Vaneisa: How number 27 blew away West Indies cricket; the answer, my friend…

There didn’t seem to be much point in writing about the ignominious end to the …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.