The Maiden Summer
The Maiden Summer
Nick Richardson
Australia's champion women's cricket team stands on the shoulders of some of the most talented, bold, and daring women of preceding generations. And pivotal to that modern success is the first Australia and England women's test series held here in the aftermath of the brutal 'Bodyline' Ashes series in 1932/33. It was a moment in time when the crowds turned up in their thousands to watch the women's Tests, the newspapers devoted column inches to the contests, and our women's cricketers looked set for a cherished place in the national sporting land. This podcast series is about history, sport, Australia, and England, newspapers and journalists, triumph and loss, tradition and innovation. It's about the greatest rivalry in cricket, but more importantly, it's about the spirit and perseverance of dozens of women to make their own cricket history. It was the long, hot days at the end of 1934, and the bright start of 1935. It was, for Australia's women's cricketers, the maiden summer.
Epilogue
In our concluding episode, we hear from some of the pioneers of Australian women's cricket about the way the game helped shape their lives.
Jan 23, 2022
15 min
The Final Frontier
Those at the top of the women's game know there's only one solution if women's cricket is going to thrive, and that's to amalgamate with the men. But how is that going to happen?
Dec 5, 2021
34 min
Taking on Tradition
Cricket is in the doldrums and it takes some energy, innovation and on-field success for the game to keep its momentum.
Nov 29, 2021
41 min
From Ship to Shore
Buoyed by the success of the first summer of international cricket, the Australian women's team embarks on its first tour of England.
Nov 22, 2021
39 min
The Start of Something
It's the summer of 1934-35 and the first team of women's English cricketers are on their way to Australia for the inaugural Test series.
Nov 14, 2021
38 min
The Wheels of Change
Episode 2: The wheels of change. The fluctuating fortunes of women's cricket as a new generation of players emerge from the challenges of World War I and the Depression.
Nov 7, 2021
40 min
The Trailblazers
Those who battled hostility, scepticism and doubt to forge a path for the next generation of women cricketers.
Oct 31, 2021
44 min
Trailer
Coming soon: A story of Australia's women's' cricket pioneers. Subscribe to The Maiden Summer wherever you get your podcasts.
Oct 22, 2021
2 min