Eileen Ash

English cricketer and supercentenarian (1911–2021)

Eileen Ash (née Whelan; 30 October 1911 – 3 December 2021) was an English cricketer. She was born in London. Whelan played seven Test matches for England between 1937 and 1949. She was the oldest living former international cricketer.[1]

Whelan played Test cricket both before and after the Second World War, making her debut against Australia at Northampton in June 1937 and playing her last game against New Zealand in Auckland in March 1949.

Whelan also played representative cricket for the Civil Service, Middlesex and South of England.[2]

In July 2017, aged 105, Ash rang the bell at Lord's to signal the start of play at the 2017 Women's World Cup Final, which England won.[3]

Ash died on 3 December 2021 in Norwich, Norfolk at the age of 110.[4][5][6]

References

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  1. "104-year-old woman keeps fit with yoga". BBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  2. "Player Profile: Eileen Whelan". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  3. Eileen Ash to ring the bell at Lord’s, International Cricket Council, 22 July 2017.
  4. "Eileen Ash obituary". The Times. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. "Eileen Ash, oldest Test cricketer, passes away at 110". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  6. "Births, marriages and deaths: December 11, 2021". The Times. 11 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.