Lorna Grace Ward (born 3 June 1939) is a South African former cricketer who played as a right-arm pace bowler. She appeared in seven Test matches for South Africa between 1960 and 1972, taking 27 wickets including three five-wicket hauls. She is South Africa's leading wicket-taker in women's Test cricket.[1] She played domestic cricket for Natal and Southern Transvaal.[2][3]

Lorna Ward
Personal information
Full name
Lorna Grace Ward
Born (1939-06-03) 3 June 1939 (age 85)
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast
RoleBowler
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 11)2 December 1960 v England
Last Test24 March 1972 v New Zealand
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1958/59–1964/65Natal
1971/72–1974/75Southern Transvaal
Career statistics
Competition WTest
Matches 7
Runs scored 52
Batting average 5.77
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 17*
Balls bowled 1,420
Wickets 27
Bowling average 17.29
5 wickets in innings 3
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 6/48
Catches/stumpings 1/–
Source: CricketArchive, 6 March 2022

Test career

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England 1960–61

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Playing in South Africa's first Test against the touring English side, Ward was the third South African to be run out in the first-innings as they posted a total of 211.[4] Bowling in the reply, Ward took four wickets in the first innings to help restrict the English to 187 runs, giving South Africa a small first-innings lead.[4] In a second innings in which South Africa captain Sheelagh Nefdt was criticised for not declaring earlier,[5] Ward made 17 runs in support of her captain as they added an unbeaten 52 for the ninth-wicket.[4] Ward was wicket-less in the fourth innings as England chased 284, the match eventually finishing in a draw with another 83 runs or 6 wickets required for a result.[4]

Ward had minimal involvement in the second Test; she only bowled two overs, taking no wickets and conceding seven runs, and as South Africa were forced to follow-on, she scored a duck in the first-innings and was 0* when the match finished in a draw in South Africa's second-innings.[6] She was again wicket-less in the third Test, conceding 74 runs in her 26 overs in the first-innings.[7] South Africa lost the match by eight wickets and, having been promoted to number nine, Ward only made seven runs in the two innings.[7]

The fourth Test saw Ward take a remarkable five-wicket haul in the first-innings. All five of her wickets were bowled as she finished the innings with 5/18.[8] She failed to take a wicket in the second-innings, bowling expensively for her 18 overs, conceding 44 runs as England set a total of 194 for South Africa to win.[8] In reply, South Africa managed a fast 126 from their 37 overs, but could not prevent the draw.[8]

Netherlands 1968–69

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Ward was named as part of the squad to play the unofficial Test matches against the Netherlands when England failed to fulfil their fixtures.[9] South Africa won all three Tests, and Ward claimed figures of 3/26 in the first-innings of the third Test followed by 4/36 in the second-innings.[10]

New Zealand 1971–72

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One of only three survivors from the squad that faced the touring English side in 1960–61,[11] Ward appeared in all three Tests against New Zealand eleven years later.[12] She started the series well, taking five wickets in New Zealand's first-innings.[13] She fell for another duck in the Springboks first-innings and didn't take a wicket in the second-innings as the match finished a draw.[13]

The South Africans bowled well in the first-innings of the second Test, with Ward, Gloria Williamson and Denise Weyers taking three wickets apiece to restrict the Kiwis to 168.[14] In reply, South Africa could only manage 111, and in spite of another three wickets from Ward, taking an economical 3/38 in her 28 overs, New Zealand declared 277 ahead.[14] South Africa were bowled out for 89 and lost the match.[14]

In her final Test, Ward achieved her best bowling performance, taking six wickets in the Kiwi's first-innings as they posted a lead of 98 runs.[15] As South Africa managed 242 in the second-innings, New Zealand returned to bat needing 148 runs to win.[15] Ward took 1/28 as the Kiwis finished just 31 runs short of their target.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Records/South Africa Women/Women's Test Matches/Most Wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Player Profile: Lorna Ward". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Player Profile: Lorna Ward". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "South Africa Women v England Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  5. ^ "England Tours South Africa – 1960". St George's Park History. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  6. ^ "South Africa Women v England Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  7. ^ a b "South Africa Women v England Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  8. ^ a b c "South Africa Women v England Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  9. ^ "Women in cricket". Perskor. Retrieved 7 November 2009.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "South Africa vs Netherlands". St George's Park History. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  11. ^ "Records / South Africa Women / Women's Test matches / Most matches". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  12. ^ "Women's Test matches played by Lorna Ward (7)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  13. ^ a b "South Africa Women v New Zealand Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  14. ^ a b c "South Africa Women v New Zealand Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  15. ^ a b c "South Africa Women v New Zealand Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
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