England's Eileen Ash, oldest living Test cricketer, passes away at 110

The oldest living Test cricketer, Eileen Ash passed away at the age of 110 on Saturday (December 4). England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) paid tribute to the “remarkable woman who led an extraordinary life.” Making her international debut for England way back in 1937, Eileen Ash played a total of seven Tests in total, taking 10 wickets at an average of 23.00.

The right-arm fast bowler announced her retirement from all forms of cricket in 1949. It must be noted that the Second World War coincided with Ash’s career and she was seconded to MI6 – UK’s secret intelligence service. With Ash being a prominent figure in England cricket, many players paid tribute to her. Notably, she rang the iconic bell at Lord’s ahead of England’s win in the final of the 2017 Women’s World Cup against India.

MCC’s president Clare Connor paid tribute to Eileen Ash

Two years later, the MCC unveiled a portrait of her at the same ground. ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket and the MCC’s president, Clare Connor paid tribute to Ash.  “Our sport owes so much to its pioneers and Eileen was one of them. I am deeply sad to be saying goodbye to her today,” Connor was quoted as saying by ESPN.

“Heather [Knight, England captain] and I went to visit Eileen about six months before the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup – she was 105 at the time – and it was one of the most remarkable experiences. Eileen taught Heather yoga, we played snooker, we drank cups of tea and we leafed through newspapers and scrapbooks celebrating Eileen’s time as a player in the 1930s and 1940s,” she added. \

Connor also revealed that Ash once received a signed bat from Australian batting legend Don Bradman. “She regaled us with some amazing stories, including how she came to have her bat signed by Sir Donald Bradman at a French restaurant in Sydney in 1949. I know neither of us will ever forget that day, it was so special. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eileen’s family as they come to terms with losing such a wonderful woman and the end of an astonishing life,” Connor asserted.