History of Women in New Zealand Cricket; a New Project

A project to publish, for the first time, a comprehensive history of women in New Zealand cricket is to be launched at the WHITE FERNS’ third ODI against the West Indies on March 11.

The book is a long-term project, with publication due ahead of the 2021 Women’s Cricket World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand. With the 2017 edition a huge success, inspiring many young cricketers, the publication of this historic book will only add to the spectacle and occasion promised in three years.

David White, Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, a key project partner, reiterated the book’s importance,

“This is a key activator for the 2021 World Cup and more than that it is an essential way for us to reconnect with so many past players whose contributions we admire and appreciate so much.

“We have a copy of Men in White, the NZ men’s equivalent history, which sits outside our main boardroom in our offices, I am really looking forward to the day we unveil this book to sit beside it, so the complete history of this great game is told.”

The project has been established out of records held by the New Zealand Cricket Museum from an earlier effort to write the history. Those records, including extensive player interviews, were a passion project for Adrienne Simpson, an established author, researcher, and Cricket Museum board member who sadly passed way before it could be realised.

For Jamie Bell, the Director of the Cricket Museum, the launch of this project has been a long time coming,

“The Museum has housed Adrienne Simpson’s archival material for some years and we’ve been slowly working through it with an eye on realising her dream.

“Now, with the passionate team we have and the support of NZ Cricket and the Players Association, it’s exciting to be able to launch this project and bring the wider cricket community onboard.

“We are very grateful to Adrienne and her family. I truly believe this will do her initial work justice.”

Driven by the two former WHITE FERNS on the team, Trish McKelvey and Penny Kinsella, strengthening the network between former and current players is a key focus of this project. To assist in achieving this, and to ensure the story is told from the perspective of those involved in the moments that made history, an email (nzwomenscricketbook@gmail.com) and website  have been set up.

Project Manager and current Chair of Cricket Wellington, Sally Morrison, outlines how the community can contribute to this valuable project,

“We’re asking past players and fans to contact us with any stories, memorabilia, photos, diaries, scrapbooks, or other mementoes that will help us tell the story of this great game.

“Our national women’s team beat their male counterparts to a Test win over Australia, hitting 400 in an ODI game, and winning a World Cup. We have a lot to celebrate!

“Our thanks go to the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and Chief Executive Heath Mills for supporting this launch and helping us as we write this important book.”