Australia’s oldest living Test cricketer Norma Johnston dies at 95

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Former Australia all-rounder Norma Johnston passed away on January 9, aged 95. She was Australia’s oldest Test cricketer. The former cricketer played seven Test matches for Australia between 1948-1951.

Johnston made her debut alongside legendary cricketer Betty Wilson during Australia’s tour to New Zealand in 1948. In seven matches, she amassed 151 runs at an average of 25.16 and also picked up 22 wickets at an economy of 20.54. 

Johnston’s demise has left the entire cricket community saddened. Nick Hockley, the Chief Executive of Cricket Australia, released a statement and thanked her for the wonderful contribution to the sport.

“Everyone across Australian Cricket will be saddened to hear of Norma’s passing. As a pioneer, Norma not only made a wonderful contribution as a player but helped set the platform for the many thousands of women and girls now playing the game,” Hockley said.

Her contribution to Australian cricket will live on forever: Pat Cummins

Australia Men’s Test skipper Pat Cummins also tweeted to remind everyone about Johnson’s contribution to Australia. The 29-year-old further said that her contribution will live on forever.

“This morning I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Norma Johnston. She was passionate about cricket, about her home town of Bathurst and the many women who would follow in her footsteps representing their state and country. Her contribution to Australian cricket and the friendships she made with so many within the game will live on forever,” Cummins tweeted.

This morning I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Norma Johnston.

Norma was a pioneer of the women’s game and until her death was Australia’s oldest Test cricketer.

— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) January 9, 2023

Former cricketer Lisa Sthalekar said that Johnston was very happy with the way women’s cricket has progressed over the years.

“I loved listening to her recall touring with the pioneers of the women’s game. and it was an interest she carried all the way through to her love of the WBBL and the thrill she got from just how far the game had progressed. Being a girl from Bathurst in country New South Wales, she always kept an eye on, and had a place close to her heart for all the country girls who would come through and play for their state and Australia,” said Lisa as quoted by cricket.com.au.

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