Eileen Ash, world's oldest living Test cricketer, turns 107

Former English cricketer Eileen Ash, who is the world's oldest living Test cricketer turned 107 last Tuesday.

Born on October 30, 1911 at Highbury in London, Eileen made her Test debut for England against Australia on June 12 at Northampton and played her last Test match against the New Zealand 12 years later at Auckland on March 26, 1949.

She was a specialist bowler by trade and in 2011 she became the first female Test player to reach 100 years old.

In her 12-year international career either side of World War II, she played seven Tests and took eight wickets with best figures of 3/35.

However, she had more success in the provincial matches compared to internationals. She made 102 not out and took 5/10 against Victoria Country and also played representative cricket for Civil Service Women, Middlesex Women and South Women.

Last year on July 23, she became the eldest living women's cricketer to ring a bell at Lord's before the 2017 Women's World Cup final between India and England. The bell is rung to signify the start of play before a match and it is considered a great honour to be invited to ring it on the morning of a big game.

And the English women's team made it special for her as well by making a sensational comeback in the game and beating India by 9 runs in the match. Anya Shrubsole starred with the ball and picked up 6/46 to script a remarkable win.

The International Cricket Council also released a video which they took from ECB to mark Eileen's 107th birthday, where she can be seen teach England captain Heather Knight yoga.

The pair could be heard talking about the old times and seeing pictures of Ash's matches during the World War. Ash went on to add that she would love to be 25 all over again. To which, Knight replied that she should consider a comeback as England could do with another seam bowler.

The pair also played a game of pool before the video came to an end.

Ash would surely be now watching Knight play as she leads her time out in West Indies for the women's World T20, starting on November 2.

– India Today

 

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