Veteran Aussie WK Lorna Beal expires in nervous nineties

Melbourne:Lorna Beal, the former Australian wicket-keeper, has passed away. She was 96. Beal played seven Tests between 1948 and 1951 and also represented Victoria in domestic cricket.

"Our thoughts are with Lorna's family, as well as all the friends she made throughout her career," Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement. 

"There's no doubt Lorna faced challenges that today's players could never dream of, including spending six weeks at sea to get to England to play the game she loved.

"It's pioneers like Lorna who paved the way for future generations and have made the game what it is today. One of the best in the business behind the stumps, we pay our respects to Lorna and acknowledge the legacy she has left on the game of cricket."

Beal started her Test journey against New Zealand in Wellington and played all her remaining matches against England. She was born in born in Hawthorn, Melbourne, in 1923 as Lorna Larter. 

She started playing cricket at the age of 12 and played for South Hawthorn Ladies Cricket Club before achieving higher honours with Victoria and Australia.(UNI)