Jan Wady played five Test matches for Australia, beginning with the tour to England in 1963, then at home against England in 1968/9.
Jan’s Test debut was at Edgbaston in the first Test of the 1963 tour of England by the Australians, led by Mary Allitt. Others on tour included Mim Knee, Muriel Picton, Pat Thompson and manager, Lorna Thomas.
Jan made 19 runs in the first innings of that debut, batting at three. In the second innings she scored a half century. She played in the 2nd Test but missed the third.
The coach – bus, that is – for the tour was quite modern, and converted to accommodate a small kitchen with an urn and tea making facilities. Jan was also the best hair cutter on tour, while Helen Lee one of the most popular setters.
“Most nights there are about 15 of us with hair up in curlers.” – Coralie Towers
It would be five years before Jan or any other Australian player would play Test cricket again, this time in 1968/9 against England. Rachael Heyhoe is leading England, while Muriel Picton has resumed her role of captain after a brief hiatus. By now, Jan Wady is Jan Parker. Jan’s final innings of 60 runs, in the third Test at North Sydney Oval, was her highest score in Test cricket.