Betty Snowball

Elizabeth Alexandra "Betty" Snowball, who died on December 13, 1988, aged 82, was an allround sportswoman who played squash and lacrosse at international level as well as cricket. But it was as one of the major figures of women's cricket for two decades from 1930 that she is best remembered, being a fine opening bat and generally accepted as the outstanding wicketkeeper of her generation. She had something of Australia's Bert Oldfield in her style: always immaculate in turnout, and neat and tidy in technique, although enthusiasm added a flourish to efficiency. Born in Burnley, she was coached after leaving school by Learie Constantine, from whom she gained what she termed aggressive inspiration. She played ten times for England, and toured Australia twice, recording a Test average of 40.86 and effecting 21 dismissals. Just over 5ft tall, Betty Snowball was an effective foil to the powerful allrounder, Myrtle Maclagen, both as fellow-opener and taking her spin bowling. Her outstanding innings was 189 in 222 minutes against New Zealand in 1935, which remained a Test record for half a century. She retired to Colwall, the Worcestershire village often called the cradle of women's cricket, and the venue of an annual women's cricket week.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack