Linne Thomas: Hockey International Wales International turned cricket in England who created history in Vembley and Lord Cricket news

In 1973, Linne Thomas became the first woman to achieve a one-day international century for England.

Since then, it has achieved that float, but what remains is unique that Thomas did that when they did not receive it, it was not paid to play and had to collect themselves abroad.

Almost 52 years later, the women’s cricket continues to interrupt barriers. The minimum household salary in England is now equally equal to their colleagues in the men’s game, during the ash, and first played in Melbourne knightly since 1949. years, and in 2026. Lord is hosted by her first ever female tested matches.

“The woman’s game was extremely changed since I first started playing,” Thomas said, 85, he said.

“We didn’t have a coach, we would just show up on the networks to practice, we weren’t paid and we wanted to play for love for the game.

“I had to play in the boys team because there was no girl team.

“I was very happy because I had a salary absence that allowed me to go on tour and when I came home, I had some money ready for the next trip.

“But a lot of girls had to give up their jobs and looking for others when they went home. They went through really hard times and admire them.”

In 1973, the World Cup was held for women – two years before the remediation of men – where Thomas would continue to achieve the first ODI tonne with her 134 not outside in Howe, the highest score of the tournament.

She opened Pating with Enid Bakevell, who was 10 minutes later became another woman to achieve century for England.

However, while Thomas’ nephew, Laura, did not notice the achievement in Guinness’s book records she realized she made history.

“We didn’t keep statistics in those days, we just played the game and wanted to make a good result,” Thomas added.

“I was pleased to hear about it, but we just did what we did normally – opening coatings together.

“We didn’t have experience playing cricket, it was our first time. There were no specialist teams, we just played our best players, whether it goes or test cricket.”

This opening partnerships 246 stood 25 years until Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor who was in 2008. Years shared a stand of 268 against South Africa on Lord 2008. years.

“I was on the Lord when it happened and asked us to get on the pavilion to film and take our photos, then that it was first, then they told us that the record was broken,” Thomas said.

“It was funny because there was no noise during our time.”

She played 10 tests and 24 go for England in an international career who stood 13 years, including two world cups.

From Vembley to Lord

The cricket seemed to come naturally in Thomas, but before that history was made as Wales Hockey International.

In 1961. she played her first ever match Wales, and two years later she played against England in Vembley where her team won 1-0. It was the first time England lost in Vembleia and the first time they had failed to achieve.

But while Thomas was not 83 years old to receive her cap 2023. year, it was finally recognized for achievement, despite the career hocar that extends from 1961. to 1979.

Thomas is the only player, male or female, to win international matches in two of the most popular stadiums: Vembles and Lord.

It was Thomas’ father who tried her to change a sports career after she proposed a cricket giving up because there was too many trips.

“I told him to give up cricket and said, ‘You can’t give it another year?” “” Thomas added.

“He said it was a shame because he thought he was a better cricket than a hockey player, who really shook me. I thought he didn’t think much of my hockey, even though I played an international level.

“I played that extra year and then I was chosen for England trials.”

Women’s cricket still faces challenges

The women’s game is far from when she first started, and Thomas’s stories are progress for this, but they still face challenges.

An example of this in a hundred, where PAIND rent was raised by 2025. the competition season, while the total pot increased by 25 percent, the bay between the earnings of leading men and women.

In a male competition, players at the highest level will see their salary growth by 60 percent to £ 200,000, compared to 30% increase to £ 65,000 for leading female stars as part of the total increase in all salaries.

A report on the influence of women’s cricket was published forward from International Women’s Day 8. Marta, noticed: “The Association of Professional Crickets is concerned, which increases the difference between the men and the highest salaries of women, it cannot be allowed to continue.

“Given the tournament, it is equally sold among male and female detachments with two teams, one club mantra, which should be applied, it is more than a disappointment to increase the growth of going to the race.

“With the influx of money on the tournament through private investment in teams, stakeholders should work all that is possible to close this gap, especially the increased interest, sales of viewing and cards for women in a hundred matches.”

English Captain Captain Heather Vitez, while applauding positive moves, such as international fees between men and women, harmonized minimum wages in domestic cricket and the new district revision in the district, repeated the point.

In the for example about the document, it was “honored to be part of the greatest transformation of the women’s cricket, and the players are immensely grateful to the PCI to challenge our name and that our vote is in negotiations.

“Finally, it happened because of the cooperation between PCA and ECB and I was privileged to support this. However, it is necessary for progress that continues because it takes a lot more necessary as it takes
Recently seen with an uniterate of a hundred wages, because we look like we provide a fair game in England and Wales. “

International Women’s Day is celebrated 8. Marta and this year this year is “accelerating the action”.