Born: 1940 (Newstead Village, Nottinghamshire)
Biography:
Enid Bakewell MBE (née Turton; born 16 December 1940) is an English cricket player who made a significant impact on the game during her career. She played for the English women’s cricket team in 12 Tests between 1968 and 1979, as well as in 23 one-day international matches. Touted as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the English women’s game, Bakewell’s performances showcased her exceptional skills both with the bat and ball.
Born in Newstead Village, Nottinghamshire, Bakewell discovered her passion for cricket at a young age. She started playing for the Nottinghamshire county women’s team when she was just 14 years old. Initially focusing on her batting, Bakewell was encouraged to develop her slow left-arm orthodox bowling, drawing inspiration from Tony Lock, one of the prominent spin bowlers of that era.
After completing her education at Brincliffe County Grammar School in Nottingham, Bakewell studied at Dartford College of Physical Education, graduating in 1959. She then married Colin Bakewell, an electrical engineer at Rolls-Royce, and they welcomed a daughter in 1966.
Bakewell’s cricket career took off when she made her Test debut in 1968 against Australia. Opening the batting, she marked her debut with a century, setting the stage for an illustrious career ahead. In the same series, she also scored centuries in the first and second Tests against New Zealand in 1969. Her performances on the tour were outstanding—she achieved a batting average of 39.60 in 29 innings and claimed 118 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 9.70.
In 1973, Bakewell played a pivotal role in the inaugural Women’s World Cup, in which England emerged as the champions. In the final against Australia, she played a remarkable innings, scoring 118 runs. She also contributed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs in 12 overs. Her performance played a crucial role in securing England’s victory.
Bakewell’s exceptional talent continued to shine through her entire career. In Tests, she accumulated 1,078 runs at an impressive average of 59.88, with four centuries to her name. On the bowling front, she claimed 50 wickets at an average of 16.62. Her final Test match, against West Indies at Edgbaston in 1979, proved to be a fitting farewell. Bakewell scored 68 and 112 not out, accounting for the majority of England’s runs, and took extraordinary figures of 10 for 75, including a career-best 7 for 61 in the second innings.
Bakewell also left her mark in one-day internationals. Her final appearance in the 1982 Women’s Cricket World Cup showcased her longevity and skill. Despite being 41 years old at the time, she made a significant impact, taking 3 wickets for 13 runs against India.
Recognizing her outstanding contributions to women’s cricket, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack selected Bakewell as one of the five greatest female players of all time in 2014. Her prowess and versatility on the field continue to inspire aspiring cricketers even today.
Awards:
– Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack selection as one of the five greatest female players of all time (2014)