Eileen Ash was the oldest Test cricketer at the time of her death having debuted for England in 1937; ECB managing director of women’s cricket Clare Connor says Ash was a “wonderful woman who led an astonishing life”
By PA Media
Last Updated: 04/12/21 1:34pm
Eileen Ash has died at the age of 110, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.
Ash was the oldest-ever Test cricketer at the time of her death having debuted against Australia in 1937.
Right-arm seamer Ash made seven appearances for England either side of the Second World War.
Domestically, she represented the Civil Service Women, Middlesex Women and South Women before retiring in 1949.
Eileen Ash, the former England cricketer, has died at the age of 110.
Four years ago – to commemorate the 80th anniversary of her international debut – she rang the five-minute bell at Lord’s ahead of the Women’s World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/x48Ci6x3Du
During her remarkable life, she was also seconded to MI6 during the war and played golf until the age of 98.
Her achievements were recognised as she rang the bell at Lord’s ahead of England Women’s victory in the 2017 World Cup final. She was also honoured with a portrait at Lord’s and honorary life membership of the MCC.
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Eileen Ash, who has passed away at the age of 110, celebrated her 106th birthday by taking to the skies in a Tiger Moth
ECB managing director of women’s cricket Clare Connor said: “Our sport owes so much to its pioneers and Eileen was one of them. I am deeply sad to be saying goodbye to her today.
“(England captain) Heather (Knight) and I went to visit Eileen about six months before the 2017 Women’s World Cup – she was 105 at the time – and it was one of the most remarkable experiences.
“Eileen taught Heather yoga, we played snooker, we drank cups of tea and we leafed through newspapers and scrapbooks celebrating Eileen’s time as a player in the 1930s and 1940s.
“She regaled us with some amazing stories, including how she came to have her bat signed by Sir Donald Bradman at a French restaurant in Sydney in 1949. I know neither of us will ever forget that day, it was so special.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Eileen’s family as they come to terms with losing such a wonderful woman and the end of an astonishing life.”