Tina the Tornado: Unveiling Australia’s Unsung Cricket Champion

Cricket‘s Unsung Champion: Tina Macpherson, the First Woman to Play in a World Cup

Australian Cricketing Greatness in Bowral

Sunday patrons visiting Bowral’s Bradman Museum might not realize that they are standing in the presence of cricketing greatness. Not among the displayed items that pay tribute to the sport’s glorious past, but in the form of a mild-mannered, white-haired tour guide named Tina Macpherson. It has been 50 years since Macpherson starred in what is officially recorded as the first-ever Women’s One-Day International, which doubled as cricket‘s first World Cup fixture. As the anniversary approached, Macpherson took a moment to revisit her diary from that monumental tour. What she found was not sentimental, but rather a surprising discovery of how much she drank during those days.

The Intimidating Presence of Tina Macpherson

Standing at 180cm tall with a new ball in her hand, the 23-year-old Macpherson was a formidable presence on the field. Known for her pace, she posed a significant challenge to the batters from Young England who had never faced such speed. Macpherson remembers being told that she was very quick, and simply aimed to bowl the ball at the stumps. She estimates that her fastest deliveries would have been over 128kph, faster than Australia‘s current sharpshooter, Tayla Vlaeminck. While the evidence is anecdotal, with testimonies from former opponents like Rina Hore, who claimed Macpherson was “frightfully quick,” her statistical return from that historic day speaks for itself: 12 overs, seven maidens, five wickets for 12 runs. Even fifty years later, these figures remain the best by an Australian at a Women’s World Cup.

From Cricket Family to National Team

Macpherson hails from Cowra, a country town in Central West New South Wales, where cricket ran in her family. With three older brothers and a father who were cricketers themselves, she naturally took to the sport and played alongside them whenever she got the opportunity. The family eventually moved to Gunning, where Macpherson began to showcase her talent as a cricketer, traveling to Sydney on weekends to play in the NSW women’s competition. At the age of 18, she made her debut for New South Wales, and her impressive performances caught the attention of national selectors. Keen to enhance her game, Macpherson even trained with the local men’s side in Gunning, pitching the ball up and adapting her skills against tough opposition.

The Inaugural World Cup and European Adventure

In 1973, the women’s game followed in the footsteps of the men’s, and the inaugural Women’s World Cup was held in the UK. For Macpherson and many of her teammates, it was the journey of a lifetime. They flew out to Jamaica for their World Cup preparation, making stops in Noumea, Florida, and Montego Bay along the way. Macpherson recalls the political violence in Jamaica, which restricted her movements outside of the house she was staying in. Nonetheless, she considered the trip an adventure. Macpherson’s memories of her history-making deeds on the field during that World Cup are somewhat hazy, as she had no awareness of the significance of the occasion at the time. Instead, her recollections focus on the off-field experiences, such as visiting Wimbledon, meeting Princess Anne, and having a reception at 10 Downing Street.

Recognizing a Pioneer and Legend

Only in the years following the tour did Macpherson begin to appreciate the context and significance of her achievements. As women’s sports gained recognition and saw a revolution, past players like Macpherson were finally acknowledged. She considers herself part of the second wave of pioneers in women’s cricket, recognizing that while a Test team had existed in 1934, she and her teammates were the legends of one-day cricket. Macpherson’s legacy remains relatively unknown to the wider world, but she has been celebrated in her local community, where she is considered an integral part of the fabric. The annual Tina Macpherson Cup is held in her honor, and she was part of an Aussie Cricketers Heritage Chocolate Series alongside Victor Trumper, Bill Ponsford, and Sir Donald Bradman himself.

A Continued Love for the Game

Today, Macpherson continues to embrace the sport she loves. She retired from playing for Australia after the 1973 World Cup, but remained involved in the game, managing Coles-Myer supermarkets in Sydney while playing for New South Wales until 1979. She eventually retired to Bowral, where she now works at the Bradman Museum, sharing her passion for cricket with visitors. Despite the toll that fast bowling has taken on her body, Macpherson continues to watch the game, particularly during the Ashes series, which she watches fervently. She cherishes her cricket stories and enjoys keeping herself engaged in the sport that has been an integral part of her life.

In conclusion, Tina Macpherson’s journey as a cricketing pioneer and legend showcases her remarkable achievements on and off the field. Her contribution to women’s cricket, particularly as part of the first Women’s World Cup, deserves recognition and praise. Macpherson’s love for the game remains strong, and her impact on the local community in Bowral is a testament to her enduring legacy. As the cricketing world evolves, her story serves as a reminder of the trailblazers who paved the way for the success and growth of women’s cricket today.