Former Australia wicketkeeper Lorna Beal dies aged 96
She played seven Tests between 1948 and 1951
ESPNcricinfo staff
11-Aug-2020
Former Australia wicketkeeper Lorna Beal (née Larter), who played seven Test matches between 1948 and 1951, has died aged 96.
She made her debut against New Zealand in Wellington in what was the first women's Test between the two countries with the remaining six matches all coming against England.
Her final Test was at The Oval in 1951 in a match England won to level the series 1-1 after Australia had won the second Test in Worcester by two wickets.
It was on the boat journey to England for the 1951 tour where she met her husband, Roy, who she would marry following her retirement from international cricket after that trip.
The @ACA_Players is deeply saddened by the passing of Lorna Beal (née Larter), a true pioneer of the women's game, who left us aged 96. https://t.co/n1NpnYYKnO
— Australian Cricketers' Association (@ACA_Players) August 11, 2020
"Our thoughts are with Lorna's family, as well as all the friends she made throughout her career," Nick Hockley, the interim CA CEO, said. "There's no doubt Lorna faced challenges that today's players could never dream of, including spending six weeks at sea to get to England to play the game she loved.
"It's pioneers like Lorna who paved the way for future generations and have made the game what it is today. One of the best in the business behind the stumps, we pay our respects to Lorna and acknowledge the legacy she has left on the game of cricket."