Norma Johnston passes away at 95
Australia’s Test cricketer Norma Johnston : Johnston (nee Whiteman) was Australia’s oldest living Test cricketer until her death. She played seven Tests for Australia from 1948 to 1951 as a middle-order batter. She can also bowl medium-pace, scoring 151 runs at an average of 25.16 and claiming 22 wickets at 17.26.
Prior to her passing, Johnston was the oldest Test cricket player in Australian women’s history. Between 1948 and 1951, she participated in seven Test matches for Australia as a middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler.
Cricket Australia Tweet
“Everyone throughout Australian cricket will be heartbroken to learn of Norma’s passing,” he said. “As a pioneer, Norma not only made a wonderful contribution as a player but helped set the platform for the many thousands of women and girls now playing the game.
He concluded by saying “On behalf of everyone in Australian Cricket I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Norma’s family and friends at this sad time, said Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia.
Australian Cricket is mourning the loss of Norma Johnston (nee Whiteman), who has passed away aged 95.
Norma played seven Tests from 1948-51 and, until her passing, was Australia’s oldest living Test cricketer.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/owdJhhbnZu
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 9, 2023
History of Australian Women’s Cricket
Women in Australia were not discouraged from competing. But there were few possibilities for them to do so until the 1880s. Following that day, numerous new sports clubs, as well as new sporting facilities, were being erected all throughout the nation.
Women have participated in organised cricket in Australia at least since the first match was officially documented in Bendigo in 1874.
The teenage Tasmanian Lily Poulett-Harris, who led the Oyster Cove squad in the league she established in 1894, is credited as being the pioneer of women’s cricket in Australia.
Introduction of Ashes of Women Cricket
In 1934, the first ashes match took place. When the AWCC (Australian Women’s Cricket Council) invited England to tour in Australia and submitted a letter of invitation to the WCA (Women’s Cricket Association). 14 three-day test matches were played during the trip in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
A total of 1,500 people saw the first game, which was played in Brisbane. Myrtle Maclagan, an all-round spinner for England, put on a magnificent display. She took 7 wickets for 10 runs as her team triumphed by 9 wickets.
