Mary Duggan

Who was Mary Duggan?

Mary Beatrice Duggan was an international cricketer, who played 17 test matches for the England women's cricket team between her debut against Australia in Adelaide in 1949, and her last game, against the touring Australians, at the Oval in 1963.

A right-handed batsman, she scored 652 runs at 24.14, with the highlight an unbeaten century in her last game. She was an effective bowler, and versatile, too, taking 77 wickets at just 13.49. She took a remarkable 7 for 6 against Australia, the best test figures in English women's test history. In addition to her hundred in her final match, she took 7 for 72 with her fast-medium left-arm swing and left-arm orthodox spin, and was instrumental in England winning the match and the series.

Born on 7 November 1925, she died on 10 March 1973 in Ledbury, Herefordshire. In addition to her long test career, she played for Middlesex Women, South Women, and Yorkshire Women, as well as Worcestershire women, whom she captained for several years.

She served as vice-principal of Dartford College of Education for a decade before her untimely death. She left £500 to the Women's Cricket Association for the coaching of young women cricketers.