So it finally arrived: the first day of women’s Test cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1949. Long planned by Cricket Australia, there was a crackle of history in the air, as Alyssa Healy (ruled fit to play at the 11th hour) wore Betty Wilson’s green blazer out to the middle for the toss, before a procession of former Australia Test captains – from Marg Jennings to Rachael Haynes – led the way on to the field to begin the anthems.
Then, as Alana King spun her web around England – taking four for 45 as the visitors fell to 170 all out in 71.4 overs – the spirit of another leg-spinner echoed around the ground. No, not Shane Warne but Peggy Antonio, the Melburnian factory-worker who took six for 49 the first time a women’s Test was played at this ground, in January 1935. Her achievement is marked on the honours board in the home changing room – the only woman so honoured – and though a dropped catch off her own bowling denied King the chance to take a fifth wicket and join Antonio, it was nonetheless a Test bowling performance for the ages, in front of a crowd of 11,643.
