Betty Wilson (Source: @AusWomenCricket/x.com)
In the game of cricket, no moment is dull as the cricketers take each game to another level with their brilliance. While many feats are memorable, a few stand out, transcending their era and leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
As the sport has seen some of the best batters and bowlers but all-rounders are that secret sauce that adds that extra flavour to a match. Contributing with both bat and ball, they give the team that added advantage.
Veteran Australian Women's star Betty Wilson is one of such all-round talents who rewrite cricket history. In a remarkable display of skill, she took 10 wickets and scored a century in a single match, setting a benchmark that would redefine what it means to dominate with both bat and ball.
Betty Wilson’s legendary feat that broke all barriers
As cricket delivered some unmissable drama on the field, fans’ excitement goes up and down with on-field excitement. Whenever a batter scores a century or a bowler bowls a magical spell, the performances have become unforgettable ones. But imagine an all-rounder achieving both in a single match. It sounds impossible, yet long before anyone could fathom it, one player turned this dream into reality, leaving the cricketing world in awe.
As the Australian cricket team produced some of the outstanding cricket talents, veteran Women's star Betty Wilson is a legend. Known for unreal batting brilliance and mighty off-spin magic, she graced the big stage and achieved remarkable feats throughout her career.
In the second Test against England Women, she tore through the record books, scoring a brilliant century and taking over 10 wickets in a single match. A feat so extraordinary, it stood unmatched for decades, remaining unbroken until 2004.
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Dominating with the ball before breaking records with the bat
In 1958, Australia Women faced England Women in a four-match Test series, but history was created in the second match. Batting first, the Australians struggled as the English bowlers ripped through their lineup. Yet the story took a dramatic turn when the Australian bowlers returned to defend a meager total of just 38 runs.
As the target looked easy for the English batters but the Aussie bowlers made their job tough as Betty Wilson led the way. Coming into action, she removed Betty Birch and marked her first scalp, and dismissed Hazel Sanders later on. To secure the last scalp, Wilson needed to wait till he dismissed Mary Duggan and claimed his third one.
Dismissing Polly Marshall and Edna Barker, she registered a remarkable five-wicket haul, but the history was yet to be unfolded. Wilson went on to claim Joan Hawers and Dorothy Macfarlane in successive deliveries, producing a jaw-dropping, record-breaking spell of 7/7.
As the heroics with the ball were just done, Wilson was ready to deliver more. Coming to bat in the second innings, Australian batters faced blows, but Wilson stood tall. With poise and power, she crafted an extraordinary century, guiding her team to a challenging total.
Another feather in the cap with a four-wicket masterclass
As it says, brilliance knows no boundaries, Betty Wilson proved the fact right in that iconic clash. As England Women came to bat in the second innings, Wilson rolled her sleeves to deliver something iconic. Bowling in the second innings, the Aussie star secured her first scalp while dismissing in 22 runs.
Chanelling her robust form, she dismissed Ruth Westbrook, Hazel Sanders, and Polly Marshal and secured a stunning for wicket haul. Securing a spell of 4/9, she added another feather to her crown. With this extraordinary performance, she became the first cricketer ever to score a century and take 10 wickets in a single match, etching her name permanently in cricket history.
A timeless record that inspires generations
Since after introduction to the world, Women’s cricket has had a long period of struggle to get its deserved recognition. Amid these challenges, Australian star Betty Wilson’s remarkable feats became a defining moment, giving the sport a powerful push toward the glory it deserved.
As Ian Botham was the first male cricketer to achieve this feat in 1980, Wilson achieved this long ago, but the remarkable record is still unknown to the cricket world. Among thousands of cricketing gems, the Aussie legend was a true pioneer, crafting a legacy that continues to inspire generations even today.
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