Fifty years after the first World Cup in cricket was played in 1973 by women, two years ahead of the men’s first World Cup, one of the inaugural team members Patsy Fayne (then Patsy May) presented a trophy she donated to a player in Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club’s new women’s team.
Sharon Withers, a member of the women’s team, treasurer of the club and mother of children involved in the club’s junior programs was“a very worthy recipient“ of the inaugural Spirit of Cricket award.
“The trophy will be a perpetual trophy, given annually to the one who spends time and energy supporting the values of the Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club and their efforts to provide a happy, safe cricket experience for all,“ Patsy said.
In 1973, seven international women’s teams competed in the One Day/60 overs competition with a round robin format and no finals.
“England and Australia were believed to be the strongest countries playing women’s cricket at the time so were programmed to be the last game played,“ Patsy said.
“After the rounds Australia was ahead on points. The final game took place at Edgbaston on the 28 July, 1973, on a bitterly cold day. England won the game convincingly and were crowned the first World Cup Champions in Cricket.
“The bat enclosed in the trophy was signed by the women who played in the game… a game played in the true spirit of cricket.“
Patsy said the mini bats were available for purchase at most big games and was one she brought back from England in 1973.
“It was signed on the day of the match, at the ground, during the game,“ she said.
“This is usually done while your team is batting … two players out in the middle batting, while the rest sit around waiting, signing bats.“
Patsy, of Noosaville, played cricket for Australia from 1968 to 1976.
There were no wages for women cricketers and the media did their best to mock them at every toss or catch.
Given the chance, though, she’d do it all again.
“There was a small group of women playing in those days,” she said.
“You just played for the love of the game.”
