Eileen Ash, oldest Test cricketer, passed away aged 110

Dec 04, 2021

Eileen Ash, oldest Test cricketer, passed away aged 110 Image

Eileen Ash, who had been the oldest living cricketer, passed away aged 110, on Saturday, 4 December. 

Making her debut in 1937, Ash went on to play seven Tests and took 10 wickets before retiring from the game in 1949. In between, she also served for MI6, the UK's intelligence service, during the Second World War. 

Five years ago, at the tender age of 105, Ash passed her driving test. She received a card from Queen Elizabeth for her 110th birthday, which she celebrated on 2 November 2021. Asked about the secret of being healthy for 11 decades, she credited regular yoga and red wine.

In 2017, she was invited to ring the bell at Lord's ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup final. 

'Our sport owes so much to its pioneers and Eileen was one of them. I am deeply sad to be saying goodbye to her today,' said MCC President Clare Connor.