The English women's cricket team toured Australia and New Zealand in 1934 and 1935. It was on this tour that the first women's Test matches were played: three against Australia

Australian women's cricket team

The Australian women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934/5, when they lost to England two-nil in a three-Test series. Since then they have improved and are generally considered the best women's cricket team in the world...

, followed by one against New Zealand

New Zealand women's cricket team

The New Zealand women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1935, when they lost to England. Since then they have only won two Tests, once against Australia, and once against South Africa....

. England won the first two Tests against the Australians convincingly, and had the better of a drawn third Test, to clinch the Ashes

The Ashes

The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. It is one of the most celebrated rivalries in international cricket and dates back to 1882. It is currently played biennially, alternately in the United Kingdom and Australia. Cricket being a summer sport, and the venues...

. The game against New Zealand was even more one-sided in England's favour.

The tour itself was recorded for posterity in a series of photographs that are now in the National Library of Australia. These photographs show the cricketers playing the game on a long tour, which took in many matches apart from the international series. However, there are others showing the players relaxing on their vessel, the SS Rotorua, and on trips, such as to Melbourne Zoo or up New Zealand glaciers.

The Test matches were dominated by Myrtle Maclagan

Myrtle Maclagan

Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...

, who made 279 runs and took 26 wickets. So much so that just after the men's team had lost the men's version of the Ashes

The Ashes

The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. It is one of the most celebrated rivalries in international cricket and dates back to 1882. It is currently played biennially, alternately in the United Kingdom and Australia. Cricket being a summer sport, and the venues...

, the Morning Post praised Maclagan's batting prowess with the quatrain:

What matter that we lost, mere nervy men

Since England's women now play England's game,

Wherefore Immortal Wisden, take your pen

And write MACLAGAN on the scroll of fame

However, she was outscored by Betty Snowball

Betty Snowball

Elizabeth "Betty" Alexandra Snowball is best known as an English sportswoman. She played international cricket in the England women's cricket team, and also played international squash and lacrosse...

, who made 381 runs, including a mammoth 189 against the Kiwis.

First Test: England v Australia (28–31 December)

Australia Australian women's cricket team The Australian women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934/5, when they lost to England two-nil in a three-Test series. Since then they have improved and are generally considered the best women's cricket team in the world...	47	&	138	England won by 9 wickets
	KM Smith 25 ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  7/10		EM Shevill 63* Not out In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress... MF Spear Mary Spear Mary Frances Spear was an English cricketer. She played in the first four Test matches against Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35, and helped England win the Ashes.-References:*...  5/15	Exhibition Ground, Brisbane Brisbane Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... Umpires: FJ Bartlett (Aus Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... ) and JA Scott (Aus Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... )
England English women's cricket team The England women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934–35, when they beat Australia 2–0 in a three-Test series. Their current captain is Charlotte Edwards, replacing Clare Connor after her five-year tenure, which she finished by leading England to their first Ashes series win since...	154	&	34-1
	ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  72 A Palmer Anne Palmer (cricketer) Anne Palmer is an international cricketer who played 3 matches for the Australia national women's cricket team in the inaugural series against the England women's cricket team in the 1934/35 season...  7/18		EA Snowball Betty Snowball Elizabeth "Betty" Alexandra Snowball is best known as an English sportswoman. She played international cricket in the England women's cricket team, and also played international squash and lacrosse...  18* Not out In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress... P Antonio Peggy Antonio Peggy Antonio was an Australian women's Test cricketer, known as the "Girl Grimmett"....  1/20

Australian captain, Margaret Peden

Margaret Peden

Margaret Elizabeth Maynard Peden was an Australia cricketer who played six women's test matches for the Australia in the 1930's....

, won the toss and chose to bat. Australia, however, soon came up against England allrounder, Myrtle Maclagan

Myrtle Maclagan

Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...

, whose 7 wickets for the cost of only 10 runs saw Australia collapse to 47 all out. During that first innings, Australian wicket-keeper, Hilda Hills

Hilda Hills

Hilda Hills was an Australian cricketer. She was a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. She was born in Northcote, a northern suburb of Melbourne....

 retired hurt on 2, with a broken nose. Hills then played no further part in the match, with Hazel Pritchard going behind the stumps in her place.

Maclagan opened the batting for England, and made 72 before she was the fifth woman out with England on 116, just before close on the first day. On day two, England moved on to 154, with Betty Archdale

Betty Archdale

Helen Elizabeth "Betty" Archdale was an educationalist and cricketer. She was a captain of the English women's cricket team in 1934 and 1935. In 1934/35 she led the first English cricket team to tour Australia and New Zealand, the result of which was a 2-0 victory over Australia...

 making 32 not out. In their second innings, Australia fared better, and were 99 for 5 at close on the second day. Maclagan failed to take a wicket in her 28 overs, but it was Mary Spear

Mary Spear

Mary Frances Spear was an English cricketer. She played in the first four Test matches against Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35, and helped England win the Ashes.-References:*...

's five wickets that did the damage, as the home team were all of for 138, a total which included 63 runs scored over more than four hours from Essie Shevill. England were thus set just 32 for the win, which they secured with the loss of just one wicket.

In the match, Australia fielded twin sisters, Essie Shevill and Fernie Blade.

Second Test: England v Australia (4-8 January)

Australia Australian women's cricket team The Australian women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934/5, when they lost to England two-nil in a three-Test series. Since then they have improved and are generally considered the best women's cricket team in the world...	162	&	148	England won by 8 wickets
	KM Smith 47 ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  4/33		EM Shevill 36* Not out In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress... JE Partridge Joy Partridge Joy Evelyn Partridge was an English cricketer. She played in the first four women's Test matches during England's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35...  6/96	Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney Cricket Ground The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian... , Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... Umpires: Puffet (Aus Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... ) and Simpkins Simpkins Simpkins is a surname, and may refer to:*Andy Simpkins , American jazz musician*C. O. Simpkins , American physician, biographer, and historian*Charles Simpkins , American Olympic athlete...  (Aus Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... )
England English women's cricket team The England women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934–35, when they beat Australia 2–0 in a three-Test series. Their current captain is Charlotte Edwards, replacing Clare Connor after her five-year tenure, which she finished by leading England to their first Ashes series win since...	301-5 dec	&	10-2
	ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  119 KM Smith 3/42		EA Snowball Betty Snowball Elizabeth "Betty" Alexandra Snowball is best known as an English sportswoman. She played international cricket in the England women's cricket team, and also played international squash and lacrosse...  4* Not out In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress... EA Shevill 1/2

Peden won the toss for the second time, and chose to bat. Australia soon stumbled to 22 for 3, before recovering to 147 for 9 at close on the first day. There was no play on the second day, and on the third Australia put on 15 more runs before being dismissed. Maclagan had taken four wickets in Australia's innings, and she now proceeded to make the first century in Women's Test history, putting on 119 before being third out for 230. By the close of the third day, England had put on 301 for 5.

England captain, Betty Archdale

Betty Archdale

Helen Elizabeth "Betty" Archdale was an educationalist and cricketer. She was a captain of the English women's cricket team in 1934 and 1935. In 1934/35 she led the first English cricket team to tour Australia and New Zealand, the result of which was a 2-0 victory over Australia...

, declared on the overnight score. On the fourth day, Joy Partridge

Joy Partridge

Joy Evelyn Partridge was an English cricketer. She played in the first four women's Test matches during England's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35...

 took 6 for 96 as the Aussies stumbled to 148 all out. England easily made the 10 required for victory, though not before two wickets had been lost. As Rene Shevill took over as the Australian wicket-keeper from the injured Hill, Essie Shevill yet again played with one of her sisters. However, Rene's twin, Fernie Blade, did not play.

Third Test: England v Australia (18-20 January)

England English women's cricket team The England women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934–35, when they beat Australia 2–0 in a three-Test series. Their current captain is Charlotte Edwards, replacing Clare Connor after her five-year tenure, which she finished by leading England to their first Ashes series win since...	162	&	153-7 dec	Match drawn
	ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  50 P Antonio Peggy Antonio Peggy Antonio was an Australian women's Test cricketer, known as the "Girl Grimmett"....  6/49		EA Snowball Betty Snowball Elizabeth "Betty" Alexandra Snowball is best known as an English sportswoman. She played international cricket in the England women's cricket team, and also played international squash and lacrosse...  83* Not out In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress... A Palmer Anne Palmer (cricketer) Anne Palmer is an international cricketer who played 3 matches for the Australia national women's cricket team in the inaugural series against the England women's cricket team in the 1934/35 season...  3/17	Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne Cricket Ground The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light... , Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... Umpires: HE Nichols (Aus Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... ) and WR Wettenhall (Aus Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... )
Australia Australian women's cricket team The Australian women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934/5, when they lost to England two-nil in a three-Test series. Since then they have improved and are generally considered the best women's cricket team in the world...	150	&	104-8
	A Palmer Anne Palmer (cricketer) Anne Palmer is an international cricketer who played 3 matches for the Australia national women's cricket team in the inaugural series against the England women's cricket team in the 1934/35 season...  39 MF Spear Mary Spear Mary Frances Spear was an English cricketer. She played in the first four Test matches against Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35, and helped England win the Ashes.-References:*...  3/21		JP Brewer 31 ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  4/28

Archdale won the toss and chose to bat. England did not fare as well as in the earlier matches, though, and were only able to make 162, with Maclagan top-scoring on 50. Peggy Antonio

Peggy Antonio

Peggy Antonio was an Australian women's Test cricketer, known as the "Girl Grimmett"....

 took 6 for 49. Australia then made 31 for the loss of 1 wicket before stumps on the first day. The second day saw them to 150, just 12 behind England. 59 of these runs, however, were made for the ninth and tenth wicket. Without these, Australia probably would have slumped to a third consecutive defeat. As it was, however, England were tight for time, declaring on 153 for 7. Australia were made to face 57 overs, but were able to hang on, being eight down when the match ended. England therefore won the series two-nil.

Only Test: England v New Zealand (16-18 February)

New Zealand New Zealand women's cricket team The New Zealand women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1935, when they lost to England. Since then they have only won two Tests, once against Australia, and once against South Africa....	44	&	122	England won by an innings and 337 runs wickets
	M Hollis 24 ME Maclagan Myrtle Maclagan Myrtle Ethel Maclagan MBE was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Test match in 1934, and was one of the best known women cricketers of her day, famous for making high scores against the Australians...  5/22		MC Bishop 27 JE Partridge Joy Partridge Joy Evelyn Partridge was an English cricketer. She played in the first four women's Test matches during England's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35...  4/60	Lancaster Park, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of... , New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... Umpires: R Coleman and J McGuinness
England English women's cricket team The England women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934–35, when they beat Australia 2–0 in a three-Test series. Their current captain is Charlotte Edwards, replacing Clare Connor after her five-year tenure, which she finished by leading England to their first Ashes series win since...	503-5 dec
	EA Snowball Betty Snowball Elizabeth "Betty" Alexandra Snowball is best known as an English sportswoman. She played international cricket in the England women's cricket team, and also played international squash and lacrosse...  189 RE Symons Ruth Symons Ruth Symons was a New Zealand cricketer. She captained New Zealand in their first women's Test match, which they lost. Her married name was Ruth Martin.-References:*...  2/71

Although scheduled as a three-day match, it was soon clear that it would not last the course. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, but were dismissed within 30 overs for a dire 44. Maclagan had taken 5 wickets, and Peta Taylor

Peta Taylor

Mary Selena M Taylor, married name Mary Jaegar, was an English cricketer. She played in the first women's Tests against Australia and New Zealand. Taylor also played cricket for Middlesex Women and South Women.-References:**...

 3 to complete the rout. Maclagan, however, was first out at 55 for 1 in England's reply. Honours instead went to Betty Snowball

Betty Snowball

Elizabeth "Betty" Alexandra Snowball is best known as an English sportswoman. She played international cricket in the England women's cricket team, and also played international squash and lacrosse...

, who set a new Test match record score of 189. Molly Hide

Molly Hide

Mary Edith Hide was an English cricketer. She was one of the great early women cricketers in England, and captained England for 17 years. In 1973 she was president of the Women's Cricket Association....

 also made a century as New Zealand's attack lacked any penetration. England batted on past their first day score of 431 for 4, finally declaring on 503 for 5.

New Zealand batted better in their second innings, but an England victory was never in doubt as Joy Partridge

Joy Partridge

Joy Evelyn Partridge was an English cricketer. She played in the first four women's Test matches during England's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35...

took 4 wickets to end England's Test match tour on a comprehensive high.